blink

{{11}}blink (n.) 1590s, "a glance;" see BLINK (Cf. blink) (v.). As is the case with the verb, there is a similar word in Middle English, in use from c.1300, that might represent a native form of the same root.

{{12}}blink (v.) 1580s, perhaps from M.Du. blinken "to glitter," of uncertain origin, possibly, with Ger. blinken "to gleam, sparkle, twinkle," from a nasalized form of base found in O.E. blican "to shine, glitter" (see BLEACH (Cf. bleach) (v.)). Middle English had blynke (c.1300) in the sense "a brief gleam or spark," perhaps a variant of BLENCH (Cf. blench) "to move suddenly or sharply; to raise one's eyelids" (c.1200), perhaps from the rare O.E. blencan "deceive." Related: Blinked; blinking. The last, as a euphemism for a stronger word, is attested by 1914.