Forms: see TWINK sb.1 [ME. twinken (= MHG. and G. zwinken to wink), repr, the simple stem from which TWINKLE v.1 is formed.]
† 1. intr. To wink, to blink. Obs.
c. 1400. Gamelyn, 453. Whan I twynke [v.r. twynk] on the, loke for to goon.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 505/2. Twynkyn, wythe the eye…, conniveo.
1600. J. Lane, Tom Tel-troth, 262. Some winke, some twinke, some blinke, some stare.
a. 1652. Brome, Covent-Garden, III. i. Wks. 1873, II. 47. I will … set mine eye against his, that he shall not twink, but I’le perceive it.
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen. (1693), 567. To wink or twink with the eye, nictare.
2. To twinkle, sparkle.
1637. N. Whiting, Albino & Bellama, 3. The curled tapers of the Firmament Did cease to twinke.
1795. Cicely of Raby, I. 195. The last star had twinked in the west, ere we had gone half our journey.
1856. Aird, Poet. Wks., 194. The wings of birds Twink with illumination.
1884. Browning, Ferishtah, Cherries, 80. Like yon blue twinkle, twinks thine eye, my Love.
1896. C. K. Paul, trans. Huysman’s En Route, iv. 54. Durtal faintly saw … stars twinking in the air.
Hence Twinking vbl. sb.
1519. Horman, Vulg., 27. Ouermoche twyngynge [sic] of the yie betoketh vnstedfastnesse.
1627. May, Lucan, VI. 863. The eyes with twincking hard Are op’d.
