v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. (of a star or light etc.) shine with rapidly intermittent gleams.
2 intr. (of the eyes) sparkle.
3 intr. (of the feet in dancing) move lightly and rapidly.
4 tr. emit (a light or signal) in quick gleams.
5 tr. blink or wink (one's eyes).
--n.
1. a a sparkle or gleam of the eyes. b a blink or wink.
2 a slight flash of light; a glimmer.
3 a short rapid movement.
Phrases and idioms:
in a twinkle (or a twinkling or the twinkling of an eye) in an instant.
Derivatives:
twinkler n. twinkly adj.
Etymology: OE twinclian