Main Entry:

¹twin·kle

Pronunciation:

\ˈtwiŋ-kəl\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

twin·kled; twin·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English twinclian; akin to Middle High German zwinken to blink

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1: to shine with a flickering or sparkling light : scintillate2 a: to flutter the eyelids b: to appear bright especially with merriment <his eyes twinkled>3: to flutter or flit rapidlytransitive verb1: to cause to shine with fluctuating light2: to flicker or flirt rapidly <twinkled the straight, red-lacquered toes — Glenway Wescott>

— twin·kler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun