Verb

1. To burn or shine unsteadily. To burn or shine with a wavering light.
2. To keep going on and off; to appear and disappear for short moments; to flutter.
   • 1908: Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

     The ruddy brick floor smiled up at the smoky ceiling; the oaken settles, shiny with long wear, exchanged cheerful glances with each other; plates on the dresser grinned at pots on the shelf, and the merry firelight flickered and played over everything without distinction.