A flare can refer to different things depending on the context. Here are some definitions:
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Pyrotechnic flare: A type of pyrotechnic that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for distress signaling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications. They may be ground pyrotechnics, projectile pyrotechnics, or parachute-suspended to provide maximum illumination time over a large area.
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Arthritis flare: A worsening of the disease process in arthritis. It occurs when symptoms of a disease that has been present for a time suddenly worsen. The cause of a flare varies depending on the specific disease in question. In rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, for example, a flare can be related to natural (but poorly understood) fluctuations in the immunological processes that drive inflammation. In osteoarthritis, flares may be induced by local trauma to the joint.
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Other meanings: Flare can also mean to start up or burst out in sudden, fierce intensity or activity, to become suddenly excited or angry, to burn with an unsteady flame, or to spread gradually outward.
In summary, a flare can refer to a pyrotechnic device used for signaling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures, or to a worsening of the disease process in arthritis. It can also refer to other things such as a sudden increase in intensity or activity, a sudden outburst of emotion, or a spreading outward.
