Library / English Dictionary

WINKING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

Synonyms:

blink; blinking; eye blink; nictation; nictitation; wink; winking

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("winking" is a kind of...):

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; reflex action; reflex response; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "winking"):

palpebration (repeated blinking or winking (especially if uncontrolled and persistent))

Derivation:

wink (briefly shut the eyes)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly

Example:

he stood blinking in the bright sunlight

Synonyms:

blinking; winking

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

closed; shut (used especially of mouth or eyes)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

-ing form of the verb wink

Credits

 Context examples: 

“My dear,” said Mr. Omer, “I don't say it's the case with you,” winking at me, “but I say that half the women in Yarmouth—ah! and in five mile round—are mad against that girl.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"We've got to beat them down," whispered Daisy, winking ferociously toward the fervent sun.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)