■ verb
1》 shut and open the eyes quickly.
2》 [usu. with negative ] react with surprise or disapproval: he doesn't ~ at the unsavoury aspects of his subject.
3》 (of a light) flash on and off.
■ noun
1》 an act of ~ing.
2》 a momentary gleam of light.
Phrases
in the ~ of an eye (or in a ~ ) very quickly.
on the ~ informal (of a machine) not working properly; out of order.
Origin
ME (in senses 'deceive', 'flinch', 'open the eyes after sleep'): from blenk , Scots var. of blench 1 .