Pronunciation: [ɡlˈɪsənɪŋ] (IPA) 
Glistening /ˈɡlɪs.ən.ɪŋ/ is a verb that means to shine or sparkle. The word is spelled with a double "s" and "t" after the "i" because of the English language's rule of doubling consonants when adding a suffix to a word that ends in a vowel and a consonant. The "glis-" sound is pronounced with a hard "g" and a short "i" sound, while the "-tening" part is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a silent "g."
The term "glistening" refers to the shimmering or sparkling appearance of an object or surface, usually due to the reflection of light. It describes the quality of being bright, radiant, or glossy, creating an attractive visual effect that catches the eye. Objects or surfaces that glisten often appear as if they are wet or coated with a thin layer of moisture, even when they are dry.
The glistening effect occurs when light rays hit a smooth or shiny surface and bounce back, resulting in a dazzling display of luminosity. This phenomenon is commonly observed in various materials such as glass, metal, or polished stones, where the reflection and refraction of light combine to produce a vibrant sheen. In nature, dewdrops on leaves, morning frost on winter branches, or sunlight glinting on water are all examples of the glistening effect.
The term "glistening" is often associated with a sense of beauty, elegance, and purity. It evokes a feeling of freshness and cleanliness, making objects or surfaces appear lustrous and well-maintained. Additionally, the usage of the word can extend metaphorically to describe a person's appearance, characterizing their aura as radiant or glowing, as if they possess an inner light.
Overall, "glistening" encapsulates the notion of light reflecting off surfaces in a captivating manner, creating a visually striking and appealing effect.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "glistening" originates from the Old English word "glisnian", which itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "glisnoją". This Proto-Germanic word comes from the Proto-Indo-European root word "ǵleis-", meaning "to shine" or "to glitter". Through various linguistic changes over time, "glisnian" eventually evolved into "glistening" in Modern English.
