blink — to shut and open the eyes quickly
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to shut and open the eyes quickly
Pronunciation (IPA): /blɪŋk/
Example Sentences
- The teacher asked if we understood, and I didn't even blink before saying yes.
- My computer screen blinks so much, I think it's trying to communicate in Morse code.
- Don't blink during the movie's best scene or you'll miss it!
blink
VERB[/blɪŋk/]
to shut and open the eyes quickly
She tried not to blink during the staring contest with her little brother.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Blink originates from Middle English 'blinken', meaning 'to shine or glitter'. The word is cognate with Dutch 'blinken' and shares Germanic roots. The semantic shift from 'to shine' to 'to wink or close one's eyes briefly' arose from the visual resemblance between the flashing of light and the rapid closing and opening of eyelids.
Breakdown
blink- (from Middle English blinken, meaning to shine or glitter) + -en (infinitive marker). The root relates to Germanic words for flashing or gleaming light, later applied to the swift movement of eyelids.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher asked if we understood, and I didn't even blink before saying yes.”
“My computer screen blinks so much, I think it's trying to communicate in Morse code.”
“Don't blink during the movie's best scene or you'll miss it!”
“He blinked in confusion when his mom asked him to clean his room.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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