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Blink Very Common

Blink has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

"The sudden light made him blink twice to shield his eyes."

2

The act of very quickly closing both eyes and opening them again.

"Please use the alternative letter-case form of Blink when writing the software name in lowercase."

3

A fan of the South Korean girl group Blackpink.

4

Alternative letter-case form of Blink.

In plain English: A blink is the quick closing and opening of your eyes, usually done without thinking about it.

"He didn't even give her time to blink before he asked for another loan."

Verb
1

briefly shut the eyes

"The TV announcer never seems to blink"

2

keep back by blinking

"blink away tears"

3

gleam or glow intermittently

"The lights were flashing"

4

To close and reopen both eyes quickly.

"The sudden noise made her blink twice before she could speak again."

5

To close and reopen one's eyes to remove (something) from on or around the eyes.

"She blinked away a tear that had gathered in her eye."

In plain English: To blink is to quickly close and then open your eyes, usually as an involuntary reaction when something gets too bright or you are tired.

"She blinked twice to show she understood what he said."

Usage: Use "blink" as a verb when describing the reflexive action of briefly closing one's own eye to clear it, rather than using it for intentional winking at someone else. As a noun, refer specifically to that single instance or rapid movement itself.

Example Sentences
"He didn't even give her time to blink before he asked for another loan." noun
"She blinked twice to show she understood what he said." verb
"Please do not blink at the camera while I take your photo." verb
"The baby blinked in surprise when he saw the balloon float away." verb
"It was so bright outside that my eyes kept blinking to adjust to the light." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
reflex act involuntarily restrain radiate
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
palpebration palpebrate bat flicker

Origin

The word "blink" comes from Old English blincan, which originally meant to gleam or shine before shifting in Middle English to describe the rapid closing and opening of an eye. It is related to other Germanic words that also refer to flashing light or shining brightly.

Rhyming Words
ink kink link fink gink hink dink bink pink zink sink wink mink tink rink oink jink drink stink yoink
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