BLINK Meaning and
Definition
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Blink is a verb that describes the act of momentarily closing and opening one's eyes quickly. This action is typically involuntary and automatic, functioning as a natural response to various stimuli or as a reflexive mechanism to keep the eye moist and protected. The blink reflex is crucial in preventing irritants, such as dust or debris, from entering the eye and potentially causing damage or discomfort.
Blinking is characterized by a brief interruption in vision or perception, as the eyelids swiftly cover and then reveal the eyes. This action occurs with remarkable speed, usually taking less than a second to occur. While the frequency of blinking varies among individuals, it is estimated that on average, a person blinks approximately 15–20 times per minute.
In addition to its physiological purpose of safeguarding the eye, blinking can also convey certain non-verbal signals. For instance, a rapid or repeated blink may indicate surprise, disbelief, or nervousness. Alternatively, an intentional slow blink can be used to communicate affection, relaxation, or even boredom, depending on the context and accompanying cues such as facial expressions or body language.
Overall, the act of blinking serves a vital role in preserving eye health and ensuring visual clarity, while simultaneously having the potential to convey subtle emotional or social signals.
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• A wink; a glance; a look; a moment.
• To wink; to twinkle with the eye; to see dimly or obscurely; to evade.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for BLINK *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for BLINK
Etymology of BLINK
The word "blink" has Old English origins and can be traced back to the West Germanic word "blenkjan" or "blincan", which means "to shine or gleam". It is also related to the Old High German word "blanchan" and the Old Norse word "blekkja". Over time, the meaning of "blink" shifted, and it came to refer to the rapid opening and closing of the eyes, which we now associate with the act of blinking.
Idioms with the word BLINK
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not blink
The idiom "not blink" refers to the act of remaining calm, composed, or unwavering in a difficult or challenging situation. It means to show no signs of hesitation, fear, or doubt. It can also imply being resolute, confident, or having strong conviction in one's actions or decisions, even in the face of adversity.
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on the blink
The idiom "on the blink" means that something is not working properly or is temporarily out of order. It is usually used to describe malfunctioning or faulty machinery, appliances, or systems.
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in the blink of an eye
The idiom "in the blink of an eye" means something that happened or will happen very quickly or instantaneously, often referring to a short period of time that is almost imperceptible. It implies the idea of rapidity or speed.
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blink of an eye
The idiom "blink of an eye" refers to a very short period of time, often implying that something happens rapidly or almost instantaneously. It suggests that an event or action occurs so quickly that it is comparable to the time it takes to blink one's eye.
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blink back tears
The idiom "blink back tears" refers to the act of holding back or restraining tears from flowing down one's eyes. It implies the effort to suppress or control one's emotions, usually displayed to prevent others from noticing or to maintain composure in a difficult or emotional situation.
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blink at (something)
The idiom "blink at (something)" typically means to ignore or disregard something, especially when it is morally or ethically wrong or questionable. It refers to the act of intentionally closing one's eyes for a brief moment, as if refusing to acknowledge or take notice of a certain situation or behavior.
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be on the blink
The idiom "be on the blink" refers to something, typically a machine or device, not functioning properly or being in a state of disrepair. It implies that the item is experiencing malfunctions or intermittently failing to work as expected.
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before sb could blink
The idiom "before sb could blink" means that something happened extremely quickly or unexpectedly, leaving no time for a person to react or respond. It implies that the action or occurrence took place almost instantaneously, catching the person off guard.
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before (one) could blink
The idiom "before (one) could blink" means that something happens very quickly or unexpectedly, often indicating that there was little or no time to react or respond. It implies that the action or event took place in an instant, before one could even blink their eyes.
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before could blink
The idiom "before could blink" means that something happened very quickly and unexpectedly, often implying that someone did not have time to react or even fully comprehend what was happening. It emphasizes the speed or suddenness of an event.
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blink at sth
To "blink at something" means to ignore, overlook, or disregard something, typically a mistake, an offense, or a wrongdoing. It implies turning a blind eye or choosing not to acknowledge or take action against a particular situation.
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blink one's tears back
The idiom "blink one's tears back" means to forcefully control one's emotions and suppress the urge to cry or shed tears. It suggests an effort to hold back tears by quickly blinking or blinking repeatedly.
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before (one) can blink
The phrase "before (one) can blink" is an idiom that means something happens extremely quickly or unexpectedly. It implies that an action or an event occurs before someone even has time to react or realize it. It highlights the speed or suddenness of a particular occurrence.
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blink at
The idiom "blink at" means to disregard or overlook something, typically an unusual or objectionable action or behavior, without showing any clue of surprise or disapproval. It implies turning a blind eye to something that might be considered wrong or unacceptable.
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blink tears back
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blink-and-you-miss-it
The idiom "blink-and-you-miss-it" refers to something that happens very quickly and can be easily missed if one is not paying close attention. It is often used to describe a brief or fleeting moment or event.
Similar spelling words for BLINK
- blankly,
- blinker,
- blench,
- Blanck,
- blanks,
- Blanche,
- bluing,
- blueing,
- bunk,
- blinks,
- bank,
- Blanc,
- blowing,
- link,
- clink,
- Blanca,
- brink,
- blanke,
- blunk,
- Blinked,
- blind,
- blanco,
- blinking,
- blanket,
- blanch,
- blank.
Conjugate verb Blink
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have blinked
you
would have blinked
he/she/it
would have blinked
we
would have blinked
they
would have blinked
I
would have blink
you
would have blink
he/she/it
would have blink
we
would have blink
they
would have blink
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been blinking
you
would have been blinking
he/she/it
would have been blinking
we
would have been blinking
they
would have been blinking
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would blink
you
would blink
he/she/it
would blink
we
would blink
they
would blink
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be blinking
you
would be blinking
he/she/it
would be blinking
we
would be blinking
they
would be blinking
FUTURE
I
will blink
you
will blink
he/she/it
will blink
we
will blink
they
will blink
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be blinking
you
will be blinking
he/she/it
will be blinking
we
will be blinking
they
will be blinking
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have blinked
you
will have blinked
he/she/it
will have blinked
we
will have blinked
they
will have blinked
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been blinking
you
will have been blinking
he/she/it
will have been blinking
we
will have been blinking
they
will have been blinking
IMPERATIVE
we
Let's blink
you
blink
we
let´s blink
to blink
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was blinking
you
were blinking
he/she/it
was blinking
we
were blinking
they
were blinking
PAST PARTICIPLE
blinked
PAST PERFECT
I
had blinked
you
had blinked
he/she/it
had blinked
we
had blinked
they
had blinked
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been blinking
you
had been blinking
he/she/it
had been blinking
we
had been blinking
they
had been blinking
PRESENT
I
blink
you
blink
he/she/it
blinks
we
blink
they
blink
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am blinking
you
are blinking
he/she/it
is blinking
we
are blinking
they
are blinking
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
blinking
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have blinked
you
have blinked
he/she/it
has blinked
we
have blinked
they
have blinked
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been blinking
you
have been blinking
he/she/it
has been blinking
we
have been blinking
they
have been blinking
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
blink
SIMPLE PAST
I
blinked
you
blinked
he/she/it
blinked
we
blinked
they
blinked
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