[twin.kle] vb twin.kled ; twin.kling [ME, fr. OE twinclian; akin to MHG zwinken to blink] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to shine with a flickering or sparkling light: scintillate
2. a: to flutter the eyelids b: to appear bright esp. with merriment "his eyes twinkled"
3: to flutter or flit rapidly ~ vt 1: to cause to shine with fluctuating light
2: to flicker or flirt rapidly "twinkled the straight, red-lacquered toes --Glenway Wescott" -- twin.kler n
[2]twinkle n (1548) 1: a wink of the eyelids
2: the instant's duration of a wink: twinkling
3: an intermittent radiance: flicker, sparkle
4: a rapid flashing motion: flit -- twin.kly adj