First Known Use: 1585
Dictionary
1winkle
noun win·kle \ˈwiŋ-kəl\
Definition of WINKLE
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Origin of WINKLE
by shortening
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
2winkle
verb
win·kledwin·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of WINKLE
intransitive verb
: twinkle
Origin of WINKLE
frequentative of wink
First Known Use: 1791
3winkle
verb
win·kledwin·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of WINKLE
transitive verb
1
chiefly British : to displace, remove, or evict from a position —usually used with out
2
chiefly British : to obtain or draw out by effort —usually used with out <no attempt to winkle out why they do it — Joan Bakewell>
Origin of WINKLE
1winkle; from the process of extracting a winkle from its shell
First Known Use: 1918
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