v. & n.
--v.
1. a tr. close and open (one eye or both eyes) quickly. b intr. close and open an eye.
2 intr. (often foll. by at) wink one eye as a signal of friendship or greeting or to convey a message to a person.
3 intr. (of a light etc.) twinkle; shine or flash intermittently.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of winking, esp. as a signal etc.
2 colloq. a brief moment of sleep (didn't sleep a wink).
Phrases and idioms:
as easy as winking colloq. very easy. in a wink very quickly. wink at 1 purposely avoid seeing; pretend not to notice.
2 connive at (a wrongdoing etc.).
Etymology: OE wincian f. Gmc: cf. WINCE(1), WINCH