dazzling

• IPA^(key): /ˈdæz.l̩.ɪŋ/, /ˈdæz.lɪŋ/
• Hyphenation: dazz‧ling

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dazzling

1. present participle of dazzle

dazzling (comparative more dazzling, superlative most dazzling)

1. Shining intensely.
   • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 80:

     There is something in intense suffering that seeks concealment, something that is fain to belie itself. In Cooper's novel of the "Bravo," Jacques conceals himself and his boat, by lying where the moonlight fell dazzling on the water. We do the same with any great despair, we shroud it in a glittering atmosphere of smiles and jests; but the smiles are sneers, and the jests are sarcasms.

   • 1922 February, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:

     , Episode 12, The Cyclops

     The deafening claps of thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning which lit up the ghastly scene testified that the artillery of heaven had lent its supernatural pomp to the already gruesome spectacle.

   • 1944 July and August, “Top Link Drivers: XXI—Driver H. Blunt, L.N.E.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 226:

     Driving 2-6-2 locomotive No. 4771 Green Arrow, Blunt suddenly noticed that the tunnel mouth was silhouetted in a dazzling white glare and that incendiary bombs were showering down in their hundreds, he slammed on all his brakes and brought his train to a stop just inside the tunnel.

2. Splendid; brilliant
   • 2011 December 18, Ben Dirs, “Carl Froch outclassed by dazzling Andre Ward”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Oakland native Ward is now unbeaten in 25 fights and can now claim to be one of the top few pound-for-pound fighters on the planet after a technically dazzling display.

3. Superlative; astounding

dazzling (plural dazzlings)

1. The action of the verb to dazzle; dazzlement
   • 1837, Minutes of the General Association of Massachusetts:

     Our organization secures the greatest amount of good unbalanced by accomplished evil of any known system, a good which resembles the sober hue of massive gold, rather than the splendid dazzlings of a baser metal.