v. & n.
v. 1 intr. shut and open the eyes quickly and usu. involuntarily. 2 intr. (often foll. by at) look with eyes opening and shutting. 3 tr. a (often foll. by back) prevent (tears) by blinking. b (often foll. by away, from) clear (dust etc.) from the eyes by blinking. 4 tr. & (foll. by at) intr. shirk consideration of; ignore; condone. 5 intr. a shine with an unsteady or intermittent light. b cast a momentary gleam. 6 tr. blink with (eyes).
n. 1 an act of blinking. 2 a momentary gleam or glimpse. 3 = ICEBLINK. on the blink sl. out of order, esp. intermittently.
[ partly var. of blenk = BLENCH, partly f. MDu. blinken shine ]