How Do You Spell BLINKED AT?

Pronunciation: [blˈɪŋkt at] (IPA)

The word "blinked at" is spelled /blɪŋkt æt/. The initial "b" sound is followed by the "l" sound, which is pronounced with the front part of the tongue touching the hard palate. The "ɪ" sound in "bl" is pronounced with the tongue raised towards the front of the mouth. The "ŋk" sound is created by the back of the tongue touching the soft palate, and is followed by the "t" sound, which is pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the dental ridge.

BLINKED AT Meaning and Definition

1. "Blinked at" is a phrase used to describe a specific action of a person, typically involving their eyes or facial expression, in response to something surprising, unexpected, or difficult to comprehend. When someone "blinks at" something, they momentarily close and reopen their eyes quickly or rapidly, often accompanied by an expression of confusion, disbelief, or shock.

   This phrase can be used both literally and figuratively to convey different meanings. In a literal sense, "blinked at" refers to the quick reflexive closing and opening of one's eyes as a natural response to a sudden or bright light, or to remove an irritant. However, when used figuratively, it implies a quick reaction of surprise, confusion, or astonishment that is shown through one's eyes or facial expression.

   The act of blinking at something can indicate a person's struggle to comprehend or absorb new information or an unexpected situation. It suggests a momentary pause or hesitation, as if the individual is momentarily taken aback and needs a moment to process or come to terms with what they have just witnessed or heard.

   Overall, the phrase "blinked at" serves as a metaphorical expression reflecting a person's instinctive reaction of surprise or confusion, often accompanied by a brief interruption in their mental processing, which manifests through a rapid blinking motion or an expression of bewilderment or disbelief.

Common Misspellings for BLINKED AT

• vlinked at
• nlinked at
• hlinked at
• glinked at
• bkinked at
• bpinked at
• boinked at
• blunked at
• bljnked at
• blknked at
• blonked at
• bl9nked at
• bl8nked at
• blibked at
• blimked at
• blijked at
• blihked at
• blinjed at
• blinmed at
• blinled at

Etymology of BLINKED AT

The phrase "blinked at" is a combination of the verb "blink" and the preposition "at".

The verb "blink" has Middle Dutch origins, coming from the word "blenken" which means "to shine or sparkle". It has evolved over time to refer to the act of closing and opening the eyes quickly.

The preposition "at" originated from Old English and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "at" meaning "near, by". It is used to indicate direction, location, or target.

Therefore, when combined, "blinked at" implies the action of closing and opening the eyes swiftly in the direction or target being mentioned.