Forms: 4 tyncle(n, 4–6 tynkle, 5 -kel, -kyll, 6 -ckle, tinkel, 6–7 tincle, 6–8 tinckle, 6– tinkle. [Tinkle has the form of a frequentative of TINK v. (see -LE 3), which also suits the chronology. In some MSS. of the later Wyclif version, it takes the place of the earlier tink, as said of a cymbal; and it is frequent from 1450 of the sound of bells, etc.
In both Wyclif versions tyncle is also used of the ‘ringing’ and ‘tingling’ of the ears; but in some MSS. of the later version tingle is substituted. In the 16th c. tinckle is said even of the nose. Here it might be thought to represent OE. tinclian ‘to tickle,’ L. titillare, if there were any trace of that vb. in ME. But it is to be remembered that L. tinnīre, which Wyclif rendered tynke and tyncle, was used of the ringing both of metals and of the ears, and even in the sense ‘tingle.’ In mod. use, tinkle may be said of the ears in the sense ‘ring,’ implying sound objective or subjective, but the thrilling nervous sensation is expressed by tingle: ‘my ears tingle,’ like ‘my hands tingle’: see TINGLE v. Cf. WFlem. tinkelen, to tingle (as the fingers with the cold), also said of the sound of a drop falling into water.]
I. 1. intr. Of the ears: To ring, to tingle: = TINGLE v. 1 (now rare). † Of the nose or other parts: = TINGLE v. 2, TICKLE v. 2 (obs.).
1382. Wyclif, 1 Sam. iii. 11. Loo, Y doo a word in Yrael, the which who so euere herith, bothe his eeris shulen tynclen [1388 tyncle, rynge]. Ibid., Jer. xix. 3. Eche that shal heren it, tyncle hys eres [1388 hise eeris tyngle].
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 589. Who so heareth of it his eares shall tinckle.
a. 1600[?]. J. Conybeare, Lett. & Exerc. (1905), 40. Nasturtium called cresses being eaten doth make the nose tinckle.
1700. Dryden, Theodore & Honoria, 94. His Ears tinckled, and his Colour fled.
1722. Ramsay, Three Bonnets, III. 44. I ha’e a secret to impart … will set baith your lugs a tinkling.
1871. R. Ellis, Catullus, li. 11. With inward Sound the full ears tinkle.
II. 2. intr. To give forth a series of short light sharp ringing sounds. Said of bells, musical instruments, and other resonant objects (cf. TINKLE sb.).
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1385 (Dubl. MS.). Now tynkyll vp taburnes þat all þe towne ringes.
c. 1440. Wyclif’s Bible, 1 Cor. xiii. 1. Y am maad as bras sownynge, or a cymbal tynclynge [1382 tynkynge, 1388 (MS. 1420) tynkynge, (MS. 1450) tinglinge].
1526–63. [see TINKLING ppl. a.1].
1617. Moryson, Itin., I. 69. Wee could not sleepe for little bels tinckling all night.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, II. 745. [The javelin] faintly tinckl’d on the brasen Shield.
1724. Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc., Ded. iii. The spinnet tinkling with her voice.
1819. Wiffen, Aonian Hours (1820), 50. A sheepbell tinkles on the heath.
1831. Poe, Bells, i. How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, In the icy air of night!
1873. T. W. Higginson, Old port Days, ix. 216. The dry snow tinkled beneath my feet.
fig. 1654. Jer. Taylor, Real Pres., xii. 281. The bell alwayes must tinkle as they are pleased to think. [Cf. TINK v.1 1.]
b. To flow or move with a tinkling sound.
1822. W. Irving, Braceb. Hall, xvii. A small rill tinkled along close by.
1851. Hawthorne, Snow Image, My Kinsman (1879), 248. The larch tinkled into its place.
1855. Browning, Love among Ruins, i. Our sheep Half-asleep Tinkle homeward through the twilight.
1859. Kingsley, Misc., II. 288. A stream tinkling on from one rock-basin to another.
1871. Howells, Wedd. Journ. (1892), 29. The street-cars that slowly tinkled up and down.
c. transf. To rhyme or jingle.
1626, 1822. [see TINKLING ppl. a.1 b].
1684. Dryden, Ep. to Earl Roscomon, 14. A kind of hobbling prose, That limped along and tinkled in the close.
1711. E. Fenton, Ep. to Southerne, Poems (1717), 82.
| But now my genius sinks, and hardly knows | |
| To make a couplet tinkle in the close. |
3. intr. Of a person: To produce such a sound.
17[?]. Bob Norice, ix., in Child, Ballads, IV. (1886), 267/2. But whan he came to Lord Barnet’s castel He tinklet at the ring [cf. TIRL v.3 3 a].
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, V. i. ¶ 29. Our host … was tinkling on a cracked guitar.
1860. Hawthorne, Marb. Faun, x. The musicians scraped, tinkled, or blew.
b. fig. To utter empty sounds or senseless words, talk idly, prate.
1645. R. Baillie, Parallel Liturgy w. Mass-bk., etc., 54. All the question wee and they have long tinkled on for the worshipping of Saints.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., II. i. Wks. 1851, IV. 201. We are but crackt cimbals, we do but tinckle, we know nothing, we do nothing.
1646. R. Baillie, Lett. to Henderson, 16 May. If that man now go to tinkle on bishops, and delinquents, and such foolish toys, it seems he is mad.
1781. Cowper, Conversat., 892. The tide of speech … No longer labours merely to produce The pomp of sound, or tinkle without use.
1871. [see TINKLING ppl. a.1 b].
4. trans. a. To make known, call attention to, or express by tinkling (lit. or fig.).
1562. in Blomefield, Norfolk (1806), IV. 355, note. A woman for whoredom to ryde on a cart … and tynkled with a bason.
1861. All Year Round, V. 13. Flattery in the fluent phrase that just Tinkled the tender moral o’er the dust Of greatness.
1862. Sala, Seven Sons, I. iv. 76. The multitude of clocks … were tinkling out the hour of nine.
b. To affect, attract, or summon by tinkling. To tinkle bees: see TING v. i b.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 29. Of Troy seat yf haplye the rumoure Youre ears hath tinckled.
1639. Saltmarshe, Policy, § 130. 111. Bees are best tinckled together when they rise.
1832. J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., in Blackw. Mag., Feb., 264. The very kirk … whose small bell tinkled the joyous school-boy to worship.
c. = TICKLE v. 3. rare.
1883. W. M. Adamson, in Evang. Union Worthies, 316. The flimsy sensational preacher, whose desire is to tinkle the ear, more than touch the conscience.
5. To cause (something) to tinkle or make a short light ringing sound; † to produce by tinkling.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 74. Moonewise Coribants on brasse their od harmonye tinckling. Ibid., 80. Thee place she tinckled [omnem Implevit clamore locum].
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 209. Many drums were beaten and basons tinckled about them.
1798. Jane Austen, Northang. Abb., i. She was very fond of tinkling the keys of the old forlorn spinnet.
1834. Southey, Doctor, i. I finished my glass of punch, tinkled the spoon against its side.
1900. H. G. Graham, Soc. Life Scot. in 18th C., VII. i. (1901), 245. The ‘bell pennies’—for tolling or tinkling the ‘dead bell’ before the coffin at funerals.
Hence Tinkled ppl. a., made to tinkle.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 160. The tinkled latch startled her.
