Meaning of blink in English

1. Pronunciation

   /blɪŋk/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Verb

   blink

   Etymology

   Middle English: from blenk, Scots variant of blench, reinforced by Middle Dutch blinken‘to shine’. Early senses included ‘deceive’, ‘flinch’ (compare with blench), and also ‘open the eyes after sleep’: hence blink (sense 1 of the verb) (mid 16th century)

   Definitions

   1. briefly shut the eyes

   Examples

   • « The TV announcer never seems to blink »
2. 2. force to go away by blinking

   Examples

   • « blink away tears »
3. 3. gleam or glow intermittently

   Examples

   • « The lights were flashing »

4. Noun

   blink

   Definitions

   1. a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly