blink
pronunciation
How to pronounce blink in British English:
UK [blɪŋk]
How to pronounce blink in American English:
US [blɪŋk]
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- Noun:
- a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
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- Verb:
- briefly shut the eyes
- force to go away by blinking
- gleam or glow intermittently
Word Origin
- blink (v.)
- 1580s, perhaps from Middle Dutch blinken "to glitter," which is of uncertain origin, possibly, with German blinken "to gleam, sparkle, twinkle," from a nasalized form of base found in Old English blican "to shine, glitter" (see bleach (v.)). Middle English had blynke (c. 1300) in the sense "a brief gleam or spark," perhaps a variant of blench "to move suddenly or sharply; to raise one's eyelids" (c. 1200), perhaps from the rare Old English blencan "deceive." Related: Blinked; blinking. The last, as a euphemism for a stronger word, is attested by 1914.
- blink (n.)
- 1590s, "a glance;" see blink (v.). As is the case with the verb, there is a similar word in Middle English, in use from c. 1300, that might represent a native form of the same root.
Synonym
neglect avoid elude pass overlook over shun slight dodge disregard cut bypass ignore ostracize shirk evade snub
start surprised blench be flinch startled quake wince flutter shocked shudder tremble shrink quiver recoil
Example
- 1. Till stars are beginning to blink and peep .
- 2. And they disappear in the blink of an eye .
- 3. Do they blink and spin around ?
- 4. Your blink rate can also help with your communication skills .
- 5. Cats communicate with a slow blink according to feline experts .