Vilausta

Vilausta is a Finnish noun meaning a brief, fleeting sight or hint of something seen only for a moment. It is often translated into English as "a glimpse" or "a flash." The form vilausta is the partitive singular of vilaus, a noun that derives from the verb vilauttaa, meaning to flash briefly or reveal momentarily. Related forms include vilautus, which denotes the act or instance of flashing; vilaus emphasizes the momentary sight, while vilautus refers more to the act itself.

Usage of vilausta conveys that something was perceived only incompletely or briefly, rather than fully observed. The word appears in everyday language as well as in literary or journalistic writing. Common constructions include "vain vilausta" (only a glimpse) and "vilausta jostakin" (a glimpse of something).

Examples:

- Elokuvan lopussa nähtiin vain vilausta päähenkilön kasvosta. (At the end of the film, only a glimpse of the main character’s face was seen.)

- Hän tarjosi yleisölle vain vilausta tulevasta projektistaan. (He offered the audience only a glimpse of his forthcoming project.)

See also: vilkaisu (glance), väläys (hint, flicker).