blink

English

/blɪŋk/

verb
Definitions
  • (intransitive) To close and reopen both eyes quickly.
  • To flash on and off at regular intervals.
  • (hyperbole) To perform the smallest action that could solicit a response.
  • (transitive) To shut out of sight; to evade; to shirk.
  • (Scotland) To trick; to deceive.
  • To turn slightly sour, or blinky, as beer, milk, etc.
  • (scifi) To teleport, mostly for short distances.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English blynken inherited from Old English *blincan inherited from Proto-Germanic *blinkaną.

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*blinkaną

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms