wink
pronunciation
How to pronounce wink in British English:
UK [wɪŋk]
How to pronounce wink in American English:
US [wɪŋk]
-
- Noun:
- a very short time (as the time it takes the eye blink or the heart to beat)
- closing one eye quickly as a signal
- a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
-
- Verb:
- signal by winking
- gleam or glow intermittently
- briefly shut the eyes
- force to go away by blinking
Word Origin
- wink (v.)
- Old English wincian "to blink, wink, close one's eyes quickly," from Proto-Germanic *wink- (cognates: Dutch winken, Old High German winkan "move sideways, stagger; nod," German winken "to wave, wink"), a gradational variant of the root of Old High German wankon "to stagger, totter," Old Norse vakka "to stray, hover," from PIE root *weng- "to bend, curve." The meaning "close an eye as a hint or signal" is first recorded c. 1100; that of "close one's eyes (to fault or irregularity)" first attested late 15c. Related: Winked; winking.
- wink (n.)
- "a quick shutting and opening of the eyes," c. 1300, from wink (v.); meaning "very brief moment of time" is attested from 1580s.
Example
- 1. He gave harry a hearty wink and strode off .
- 2. May only be the dark 's embarrassed wink .
- 3. He returned my glance with a wink and a smile .
- 4. She looked at me staring at her , flew to me with a wink .
- 5. The guard gave an appreciative wink as they passed through . " Thanks for the heads-up . I 'll look busy . "