v. Obs. In 1 blícan; 3 blikien, blykyen, 4 bliken, blikken. [Here there appear to be two or more cognate forms: (1) OE. blícan to shine, gleam, a com. Teut. str. vb. = OS. blîkan (MDu. blîken, Du. blijken to look, appear), OHG. (in comp.) -blîhhan (MHG. blîchen, mod.G. -bleichen), ON. blîkja str. vb:—OTeut. *blîk-an ‘to shine, gleam,’ pointing to Aryan *bhlig-: cf. OSlav. bli-sk-ati to sparkle, Gr. φλέγειν to burn, L. fulgēre to shine. (2) The cognate ON. blika (wk. v.) found beside the str. blíkja to shine, glitter: cf. Sw. blicka, also MDu. and mod.G. blicken to glance, Du. blikken to twinkle, turn pale. The early ME. blikien points back to an OE. *blician wk. vb., answering to ON. blika.]

1

  intr. To shine, glisten, glitter.

2

a. 1000.  Sol. & Sat., 235 (Gr.). Ðu ʓesihst Hierusalem weallas blican.

3

c. 1205.  Lay., 27360. Iseȝen … sceldes blikien.

4

a. 1225.  St. Marher., 9. His lockkes ant his longe berd blikede al o gold.

5

c. 1300.  Wright’s Lyric P., xvi. (1842), 52. Hire bleo blykyeth so bryht.

6

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 603. Bryȝt blykked þe bem of þe brode heuen.

7

1340.  Alex. & Dind., 411. Hur face to enoine, For to bliken of hur ble.

8