winkle

[wing-kuh l]British

noun

any of various marine gastropods; periwinkle¹.

verb (used with object), win·kled, win·kling.

Informal. to pry (something) out of a place, as winkle meat is dug out of its shell with a pin (usually followed by out).

Origin of winkle

First recorded in 1575–85; short for periwinkle¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for winkle

Historical Examples of winkle

For years, like Mr. Winkle, we've declared we were just about to begin, and then never began at all.
The Chocolate Soldier
C. T. Studd
Chesterton has now another dog, but he will never get another Winkle.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton
Patrick Braybrooke
Neither Winkle nor Snodgrass started this hypothesis, but Tupman.
Pickwickian Studies
Percy Fitzgerald
“Winkle,” a corresponding member also; and a something of a sportsman.
Pickwickian Studies
Percy Fitzgerald
"Never mind touching your hat, Sam," said Mr. Winkle hastily.
Story Hour Readings: Seventh Year
E.C. Hartwell

British Dictionary definitions for winkle

winkle

noun

See periwinkle 1

verb

(tr; usually foll by out, out of, etc) informal, mainly British to extract or prise out

Word Origin for winkle

C16: shortened from periwinkle 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for winkle

edible mollusk, 1580s, shortening of periwinkle (n.2).