winkle
winkle¹
Definition
win·kle (wiŋ′kəl)
noun
- periwinkle
- any of various gastropod mollusks that are very destructive to oysters and clams
winkle²
Definition
win·kle (wiŋ′kəl)
transitive verb -·kled, -·kling
Informal to pry or rout from cover, secrecy, etc.: with out, out of, etc.
Etymology: < ?
winkle
Usage Examples
Particle object:
- trout: Before Alex arrived I did a little exploring winkling out some nice trout here and there and around about.
- couple: A gold headed hare lug nymph winkled out a couple of trout and it was glorious.
Converse of object
- collect: People collect winkles from the local beaches and then sell them on to shellfish suppliers.
Adjective modifier
- small: Small rough winkles and the occasional hardy barnacles gain enough shelter here to survive.
Modifies a noun
- picker: Being the sixties, the fashion of the day were winkle pickers, shoes or boots where the front ended in a sharp point.
- shell: Other finds included fragments of medieval pottery and hundreds of edible winkle shells which were also used for fishing bait.
- stall: I might have mistaken it for any number of lazy provincial towns but for the sight of a winkle stall down from the station.
Browse dictionary entries near winkle
- winkle-picker
- winnable
- Winnebago
- winner
- winner's circle
- Winnie
- winning
- winning gallery
- winning opening
- winning post
