ˈeye-wink
[f. eye n.1 + wink n.]
a. A wink or motion of the eye, a look or glance. b. The time it takes to wink the eye: an instant.
| a. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. ii. ii. 72 They could neuer get an eye-winke of her. 1818 Keats Endym. iv. 267 Before young Bacchus' eye-wink turning pale. 1868 Browning Ring & Bk. x. 921 'Twixt her placid eyewinks. |
| b. 1879 C. Rossetti Seek & F. 88 Until all time dwindle to a mere eye-wink. 1890 Daily News 27 Jan. 3/1 You touch a tiny switch..and in an eye-wink your glass button-hole becomes an incandescent lamp. |
Similarly
ˈeye-winker, eyelash or eyelid.
| 1808 Jamieson, Ee-winkers the eye-lashes. a 1833 A. Picken Changeable Charlie, The burley scoundrel lifted up his eye⁓winkers. 1881 Pennsylv. School Jrnl. XXX. 57 Every..hair and eye-winker, revolving ‘on its own hook’. |