wink

• Nom désignant un très court instant ou le fait de fermer rapidement un œil en guise de signal, ainsi que le réflexe rapide de fermeture et d'ouverture des yeux.

A noun referring to a very brief moment or a quick closing of one eye as a signal, as well as a rapid reflex of closing and opening the eyes.

1. Brief momentB1informal

   An extremely short period of time, comparable to the duration of a blink.

   Clin d'œil (très courte durée)

   • I'll be there in a wink.
   • The accident happened in the wink of an eye.
   • He finished the task in a wink.

   Synonymesblinkflashinstantjiffymomentsecondsplit secondtricetwinkling

   Antonymesageeoneternity

2. Eye signalA2informal

   The act of closing one eye quickly as a private or playful signal to someone.

   clin d'œil

   • She gave him a wink across the room.
   • A wink can be a sign of shared understanding.
   • He responded with a quick wink.

3. Reflex actionB2formalmedical

   A rapid, involuntary closing and opening of the eyelids.

   Clignement réflexe

   • A wink is a natural reflex to protect the eye.
   • The doctor examined the patient's wink reflex.
   • Frequent winks can be a sign of a nervous tic.

   Synonymesblinknictation

• Verbe désignant l'action de fermer et d'ouvrir rapidement un œil, souvent comme signal ou geste de connivence.

A verb used to indicate the act of closing and opening one eye quickly, often as a signal or gesture.

1. Signal by winkingA2informal

   To close and open one eye quickly as a private signal to someone, often to indicate a shared secret or playful intent.

   Faire un clin d'œil

   • She winked at him across the room to let him know the plan was on.
   • He winked playfully before telling the joke.
   • The old man winked at the child as if sharing a secret.

2. Gleam or glow intermittentlyB2formal

   To shine with a light that flashes on and off, like a star or a distant light.

   Scintiller

   • The stars winked in the clear night sky.
   • A lighthouse winked in the distance, guiding ships to shore.
   • The fireflies winked among the trees in the summer evening.

   Synonymesblinkflashflickerglitterscintillateshimmersparkletwinkle

3. Briefly shut the eyesA1informal

   To close and open both eyes quickly, often as a reflex or to clear vision.

   Cligner des yeux

   • She winked to get the dust out of her eye.
   • He winked rapidly under the bright sunlight.
   • The baby winked sleepily before falling asleep.

   Synonymesblinknictatenictitate

4. Force to go away by blinkingB1informal

   To remove something from the eye by blinking rapidly.

   faire sortir en clignant

   • She winked away a tear that was forming.
   • He winked the eyelash out of his eye.
   • She tried to wink the speck of dust away.

   Synonymesblink

Variantes phrasalwink at