glimpse

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A brief, incomplete view or look.
2. n. Archaic A brief flash of light.
3. v. To obtain a brief, incomplete view of.
4. v. To look briefly; glance: glimpsed at the headlines.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To glimmer; shine.
2. To come into momentary view; appear transiently or as in a flash.
3. To look momentarily or accidentally.
4. To get a momentary view of; see transiently.
5. To show or cause to be seen as by a glimpse. We conclude this survey with the mention of the psychology of the developing child, glimpsing as it does, in the budding capabilities of the infant, the microcosm of the race and an epitome of the struggle for civilization.
6. n. A transient gleam; a momentary ray or flash of light.
7. n. A transient or hurried view; a glance, as in passing; hence, a momentary or chance experience of anything; a faint perception.
8. n. A faint trace or share; a slight tinge.

Wiktionary

1. n. A brief look, glance, or peek.
2. v. To see or view briefly or incompletely.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A sudden flash; transient luster.
2. n. A short, hurried view; a transitory or fragmentary perception; a quick sight.
3. n. A faint idea; an inkling.
4. v. to appear by glimpses; to catch glimpses.
5. v. To catch a glimpse of; to see by glimpses; to have a short or hurried view of.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. catch a glimpse of or see briefly
2. n. a vague indication
3. n. a quick look
4. n. a brief or incomplete view