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vislumbrar

to glimpse; to make out dimly

verb bees-loom-BRAHR Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: From 'vis-' (sight) + 'lumbre' (light), suggesting catching a faint glimmer.

Also means

to foresee vaguely

Usage Note

Vislumbrar implies seeing or perceiving something indistinctly, often at a distance or in poor light — or metaphorically, grasping something that is not yet clear (vislumbrar una solución, to dimly see a solution). It is more literary than ver or distinguir. The related noun is vislumbre (m/f, a glimpse). Regular -ar conjugation.

Examples

"Apenas pude vislumbrar su silueta en la oscuridad."

Natural Translation

I could barely make out her silhouette in the darkness.

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