Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Blink, n. Also: blinck. [Later form of Blenk n. , corresp. to e.m.E. blinck (1594), ME. blynke (rare).]

1. A glance or look. a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xvii. 57.
With blinkis dulce and debonair Ib. xxxv. 27.
The bony blinks … Of hir tua christall ees 1600-1610 Melvill 498.
Thow turn'd Thy face, and gave a pleasand blink 1611 Mure Misc. P. ii. 7.
The smyling blinks, sent from hir wantoune eyes, Had force to robe proud Cupid of his dairts Ib. v. 2.
Calling to mynd the heauinly featour, The baschfull blinks, and comely grace 1629 Boyd Last B. 95.
At the first blinke it would seeme [etc.] 1644 11th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. vi. 56.
Ane blinck of the fece of ane reconceilit God

2. A short or sudden gleam. Also fig. a1578 Pitsc. I. 259/6.
This man wanischit away … as he had bene a blink of the sone 1629 Boyd Last B. p. v.
My … wish is, that your Majestie would daine it with a blink of your fauour 1680 Brodie Diary 434.
I was raisd al night to have sein him expyr. It pleasd God to give him som blink