blink in English
- blink⇄blink, verb, noun.
- blink⇄expr. on the blink, (Informal.) not working properly; not working.
Ex. I can't hear the news since my radio went on the blink. - blink⇄noun 1. a winking; a wink.
Ex. Several blinks will sometimes get a cinder out of the eye.
2. a sudden flash of light; gleam.
Ex. The blink of the beacon could be seen for miles.
3. the time taken by a glance.
Ex. The cat c - blink⇄v.i. 1. to look with the eyes opening and shutting.
Ex. She blinked at the sudden light.
2. to close the eyes and then open them again quickly; wink.
Ex. We blink every few seconds.
3. to shine with an unsteady light.
Ex. - blink⇄v.t. 1. (Figurative.) to shut the eyes to; look with indifference at; ignore.
Ex. You cannot blink the fact that time slips by.
(SYN) evade.
2. to blind.
Ex. The sun is blinking my eyes.
3. to shut (the eyes) for a moment
blink in Konkani कोंकणी
blink in Marathi मराठी
blink in Sindhi سنڌي
Blink
Part of Speech
Verb (transitive and intransitive), Noun
Pronunciation
/blɪŋk/
Definitions
- 1. (verb) To close and open one or both eyes quickly, typically as a reaction to light or an irritant.
- 2. (verb) To shine or flash intermittently, as a light or an indicator.
- 3. (noun) The act of blinking, or a brief moment when the eyes are shut and opened rapidly.
- 4. (noun) A brief, rapid flash of light or a signal.
Usage Examples
- "She blinked rapidly, adjusting her eyes to the bright light."
- "The light in the hallway blinked on and off, indicating a problem."
- "He gave a quick blink, surprised by the unexpected question."
Etymology
The word "blink" originates from Middle English "blenken," which comes from the Old Norse "blinka" meaning "to shine" or "to flash." It is related to the idea of a rapid, momentary action, either in relation to the eyes or light.
Synonyms
- Wink
- Flicker
- Flash
- Glance
Antonyms
- Stare
- Gaze
- Look
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Blink | /blɪŋk/ |
| Spanish | Parpadeo | /par-pa-de-o/ |
| French | Cligner des yeux | /kliɲe de zjø/ |
| German | Blinzeln | /ˈblɪnt͡sln̩/ |
| Italian | Strizzare gli occhi | /stritˈtsaːre ˈʎɔkki/ |
| Russian | Моргать | /mɔrɡatʲ/ |
| Chinese | 眨眼 | /zhǎ yǎn/ |
| Arabic | غمز | /ɣamz/ |
| Hindi | पलक झपकाना | /pələk ʤʰəpəkɑːnɑː/ |
| Japanese | まばたき | /mabataki/ |
| Portuguese | Piscar | /ˈpiʃkaʁ/ |
| Korean | 눈 깜박이다 | /nun kkambakida/ |
| Turkish | Göz kırpmak | /ɡœz kɯɾˈpmɑk/ |
| Bengali | চোখ মিটমিট করা | /cokh mitmit kôra/ |
| Punjabi | ਅੱਖਾਂ ਮਟਕਾਉਣਾ | /akkhaṁ maṭkā'uṇā/ |
| Gujarati | આંખ મીચવી લેવું | /āṅkh mīchavī levuṁ/ |
| Marathi | डोळा मटकवणे | /ḍoḷā maṭkavaṇe/ |
| Malayalam | കണ്ണുകൾ മുറുകി | /kaṇṇukaḷ muṟuki/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "blink" tends to remain consistent across different regions, with slight differences in accent or emphasis. In some regions, the "i" may be pronounced more sharply (/ɪ/), while in others it might sound more like /ɪŋk/ or /lɪŋk/.
Historical Usage
The verb "blink" has been used in English since the 14th century. It originally referred to a sudden and brief closing of the eyes, but over time, its meaning expanded to include the intermittent flashes of light and the figurative meaning of "being unaware" or "ignoring" something. The word is closely linked to expressions such as "blink of an eye," indicating something happening in a very short time.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, the act of blinking is associated with nervousness or surprise. In some languages, to "blink" is also used metaphorically, such as in expressions like "don't blink," meaning don't miss a moment or opportunity. The act of blinking is also culturally significant in non-verbal communication, as it can signal a variety of emotions, including suspicion, surprise, or even flirtation.
More Information
The blink is a natural, involuntary action that happens many times throughout the day to keep the eyes moist and clear of debris. Blinking also helps in protecting the eyes from irritants like dust or wind. Interestingly, blinking can vary across species; for example, some animals, like camels, can blink only one eye at a time, while others, like fish, do not blink at all. The average human blinks around 15-20 times per minute, but this number decreases when concentrating on tasks like reading or staring at screens for extended periods.