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v. twin·kled, twin·kling, twin·kles v.intr. 1. To shine with slight, intermittent gleams, as distant lights or stars; flicker; glimmer. See Synonyms at flash. 2. To be bright or sparkling, as with merriment or delight: eyes that twinkled with joy. 3. To blink or wink the eyes. 4. To move about or to and fro rapidly and gracefully; flit. v.tr. To emit (light) in slight, intermittent gleams. n. 1. A slight, intermittent gleam of light; a sparkling flash; a glimmer. 2. A sparkle of merriment or delight in the eye. 3. A brief interval; a twinkling. 4. A rapid to-and-fro movement. [Middle English twinklen, from Old English twinclian, frequentative of twincan, to blink.] twinkler n. twinkly adj. |
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