winkle

[ wing-kuhl ]

noun

1. any of various marine gastropods; periwinkle ¹.

verb (used with object)

, win·kled, win·kling.

1. Informal. to pry (something) out of a place, as winkle meat is dug out of its shell with a pin (usually followed by out ).

winkle

/ ˈwɪŋkəl /

noun

1. See periwinkle 1

verb

1. informal.
   tr; usually foll by out, out of, etc to extract or prise out

Word History and Origins

Origin of winkle¹

First recorded in 1575–85; short for periwinkle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of winkle¹

C16: shortened from periwinkle ¹

Example Sentences

In the process, they winkled out some remarkably intimate details and gave Macron a platform to show a more personal side at a critical juncture in his second term as president.

From Seattle Times

For nearly three months, Azovstal’s garrison clung on, refusing to be winkled out from the tunnels and bunkers under the ruins of the labyrinthine mill.

From Seattle Times

The Envelope is here to change all that: As we do every year, we’ve winkled out the rare gems that belong in categories no awards committee would ever sanctify.

From Los Angeles Times

"There were lots of phoney emails from people trying to winkle even just three pages, even just anything," she noted.

From BBC

He cleverly winkles out gaps in broken-field defences and has the blurring speed to drive through them.

From BBC