wink

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wincian; akin to Old High German winchan to stagger, wink and perhaps to Latin vacillare to sway, Sanskrit vañcati he goes crookedly Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to shut one eye briefly as a signal or in teasing 2. to close and open the eyelids quickly 3. to avoid seeing or noting something — usually used with at 4. to gleam or flash intermittently ; twinkle <

her glasses winking in the sunlight — Harper Lee

> 5. a. to come to an end — usually used with out b. to stop shining — usually used with out 6. to signal a message with a light transitive verb 1. to cause to open and shut 2. to affect or influence by or as if by blinking the eyes II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a brief period of sleep ; nap <

catching a wink

> 2. a. a hint or sign given by winking b. an act of winking 3. the time of a wink ; instant <

quick as a wink

> 4. a flicker of the eyelids ; blink