-k(ə)liŋ, -līŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of twinklen to twinkle — more at twinkle
1.
a. : a winking of the eye
b. : the time required for a wink : instant
the kettle will boil in a twinkling — Punch
his patient would be carried off by meningitis in the twinkling of an eye — Jean Stafford
2.
a. : a momentary repetitive variation in brightness of a star due to the varying density of the air which produces constantly changing refractive and interference effects : scintillation
b. : a radiance likened to the twinkling of a star (as the gleam of an eye or the glimmering of city lights)
3. : a rapid flashing motion
the twinkling of their wings was as in sweet rhythm to the twinkling of their hues — Jack McLaren