Definition

1. Noun:
   • A colored flare fired from a Very pistol: A pyrotechnic signal flare, typically producing a bright, colored light, designed to be launched from a specific type of pistol (a Very pistol) for signaling, especially in maritime or military contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The stranded sailors fired a very light to signal their position to the rescue ship.
  • At the start of the naval exercise, a red very light arched into the night sky.

Advanced Usage

• The term "very light" is a fixed noun phrase referring specifically to this type of flare. It is often used in historical or technical descriptions of signaling methods.
  • The use of very lights for communication has been largely superseded by electronic systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Very pistol (n): The specialized pistol used to launch a very light.
  • He loaded the cartridge into the Very pistol.
• Signal flare (n): A more general term for a pyrotechnic device used for signaling, which includes very lights.
  • They had both smoke grenades and signal flares in their emergency kit.

Synonyms

• Signal flare: A pyrotechnic device used to send a visual signal.
• Star shell: A type of artillery shell or flare that illuminates an area, related but not identical.

Notes

• The term originates from Edward W. Very, the American naval officer who invented the flare pistol and cartridge system. The capitalization in "Very pistol" is often retained, but "very light" is commonly seen in lowercase.

Noun

1. a colored flare fired from a Very pistol