- flagrant
- c.1500, "resplendent," from L. flagrantem (nom. flagrans) "burning," prp. of flagrare "to burn," from L. root *flag-, corresponding to PIE *bhleg- "to shine, flash, burn" (cf. Gk. phlegein "to burn, scorch"), from base *bhel- (1) (see bleach). Sense of "glaringly offensive" first recorded 1706, probably from common legalese phrase in flagrante delicto "red-handed," lit. "with the crime still blazing." Related: Flagrantly.