Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: wincian

wink

1 verb
     
wink1
1 [intransitive and transitive] to close and open one eye quickly to communicate something or show that something is a secret or joke
wink at
He winked mischievously at Erica.
He winked an eye at his companion.
2 [intransitive] to shine with a light that flashes on and off [= blink]:
a Christmas tree with lights winking on and off

wink at something

phrasal verb
to pretend not to notice something bad or illegal, in a way that suggests you approve of it
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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