WINKING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does winking mean? 

• WINKING (noun)
  The noun WINKING has 1 sense:

1. a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

  Familiarity information: WINKING used as a noun is very rare.

• WINKING (adjective)
  The adjective WINKING has 1 sense:

1. closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly

  Familiarity information: WINKING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WINKING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

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

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)

• WINKING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly

Synonyms:

blinking; winking

Context example:

he stood blinking in the bright sunlight

Similar:

closed; shut (used especially of mouth or eyes)

 Context examples 

Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet sat looking and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, without making any impression on them.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“The elephant butts, you know, sir,” said Mr. Omer, winking, “when he goes at a object. Once, elephant. Twice. Three times!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I'll try," said Jo, winking hard as she knelt down to pick up the basket she had joyfully upset.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“We have got to the deductions and the inferences,” said Lestrade, winking at me.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Three men from a neighboring tent came out and looked on, grinning and winking at one another.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Elizabeth would not observe her; and when at last Kitty did, she very innocently said, “What is the matter mamma? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Dora and I were sitting on the sofa by and by, quiet enough, and Jip was lying in her lap, winking peacefully at me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

No, winking isn't ladylike.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I never did in my days behold anything like Mowcher as she stood upon the dining table, intensely enjoying this refreshment, rubbing busily at Steerforth's head, and winking at me over it.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I beg your pardon. I didn't see the name distinctly. Never mind, I can walk. I'm used to plodding in the mud," returned Jo, winking hard, because she would have died rather than openly wipe her eyes.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)