Twinkle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Twinkled; p. pr. & vb. n. Twinkling.]
Etymology: [OE. twinklen, AS. twinclian; akin to OE. twinken to blink, wink, G. zwinken, zwinkern, and perhaps to E. twitch.]
1. To open and shut the eye rapidly; to blink; to wink. The owl fell a moping and twinkling. L' Estrange.
2. To shine with an intermitted or a broken, quavering light; to flash at intervals; to sparkle; to scintillate. These stars not twinkle when viewed through telescopes that have large apertures. Sir I. Newton. The western sky twinkled with stars. Sir W. Scott.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Twinkle, n.
1. A closing or opening, or a quick motion, of the eye; a wink or sparkle of the eye. Suddenly, with twinkle of her eye, The damsel broke his misintended dart. Spenser.
2. A brief flash or gleam, esp. when rapidly repeated.
3. The time of a wink; a twinkling. Dryden.