eyewink

[ ahy-wingk ]

noun

1. a wink of the eye.
2. Obsolete. a look or glance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyewink¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; eye + wink ¹

Example Sentences

That’s a Fleet Street eyewink that twists a rude “EastEnders” catchphrase — “Shut it you slag!” — into a comment on the 13-year delay in shows.

From Washington Post

Minds dormant for decades must now adjust to sentience, and to the world that has grown 30 years older in an eyewink.

From Time Magazine Archive

Too soon, Sam does die -- he is murdered -- in a plot twist that anyone can unravel in an eyewink.

From Time Magazine Archive

The two performers might seem unlikely company -- the star of 9 1/2 Weeks and the prima donna of the Cosby kids -- but their exertions were no more extreme than the acrobatics in many an R- | rated teen farce, and the carnal violence was a lot less toxic than the damage Freddy or Jason or any other horror-show serial killer wreaks in an eyewink.

From Time Magazine Archive

Frosted glass windows prevented so much as an eyewink to the outside world.

From Time Magazine Archive