Blinkering Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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blinkering
[ˈblɪŋkərɪŋ ]
Definition
eye action
Blinkering refers to the action of closing and opening one's eyes quickly. This can occur naturally as a reflex to moisten the eyes or to protect them from irritants. In some contexts, it may also imply a more intentional action, such as when a person blinks deliberately to indicate surprise, disbelief, or to signal others. Additionally, in a more specific usage, 'blinker' can refer to the use of blinker lights in vehicles, indicating a signaling action. Understanding this word can be pivotal in both everyday conversation and more specialized discussions.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She was blinkering rapidly during the eye exam.
- He blinkered at the bright lights of the concert.
- The horse was blinkering due to the sudden noise.
- The child blinkered his eyes in surprise.
- He blinkered as he adjusted to the sunlight.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Cognitive blinkering often occurs when someone is overly focused on one aspect of a situation and misses important details, leading to poor decision-making.
- This concept can explain why people frequently follow the same routines or beliefs, blocking out alternative viewpoints.
Pop Culture
- In popular media, characters who are blinkered often face challenges or conflicts because they refuse to acknowledge evidence that contradicts their views.
- Songs and literature sometimes use blinkering to emphasize narrow-mindedness, highlighting the importance of perspective.
Education
- In academic settings, blinkering can hinder critical thinking and creativity, as students may concentrate too much on one theory or method, ignoring others.
- Encouraging diverse viewpoints and interdisciplinary approaches in education helps to counteract blinkering.
Political Science
- In politics, blinkering refers to the tendency of individuals or groups to focus solely on their agenda, ignoring broader societal issues.
- Political campaigns often employ strategies that deliberately blinkered potential voters, directing attention away from critical issues.
Origin of 'blinkering'
Main points about word origin
- The term derives from 'blinker', referring to a device that limits a person's vision, like horse blinders that keep horses from looking sideways.
- Originally, blinkering referred specifically to the physical blinkers used on horses to keep them focused on the path ahead.
The word 'blinkering' is derived from the verb 'blink', which has its origins in Middle English 'blenken', meaning to shine or glimmer. It can be traced further back to Old English 'blenccan', which means to cause to shine or to be visible. The modern usage of the term began to encapsulate not just the action of rapid eye movement but also figurative meanings, such as an avoidance of looking closely at something. The evolution of the word reflects both a physical action as well as the metaphorical implications related to awareness and attention. Over time, it has also adopted related meanings in the context of signaling, particularly with the introduction of vehicles, where 'blinker' indicates a signal light used to inform others of a turn or lane change.