blink
(blĭngk)
[Probably Middle English blinken, to move suddenly, variant of blenchen; see blench1.]
verb: blinked, blink·ing, blinks.
intransitive verb
- To close and open one or both of the eyes rapidly.
- To look through half-closed eyes, as in a bright glare; squint.
- To shine with intermittent gleams; flash on and off.
- To be startled or dismayed.
- To waver or back down, as in a contest of wills: “This was the first genuine, direct confrontation between this administration and the Soviets. It was the U.S.A. that blinked” (Zbigniew Brzezinski)
- To look with feigned ignorance: a mayor who blinks at the corruption in city government.
transitive verb
- To cause to blink.
- To hold back or remove from the eyes by blinking: blinked back the tears.
- To refuse to recognize or face: blink ugly facts.
- To transmit (a message) with a flashing light.
noun
- The act or an instance of rapidly closing and opening the eyes or an eye.
- An instant: I'll be back in a blink.
- Scots A quick look or glimpse; a glance.
- A flash of light; a twinkle.
- See iceblink
idioms
- on the blink
- Out of working order.
synonyms:
blink, nictitate, twinkle, wink These verbs mean to open and close the eyelids or an eyelid rapidly: a dog blinking lazily at the fire; reptiles nictitating; twinkled, then laughed and responded; winked conspiratorially at his friend.
ice·blink
(īśblĭngḱ)
noun
- A yellowish glare in the sky over an ice field. Also called blink
- A coastal ice cliff.
