I. ˈwiŋk 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 wink ing 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