also: めばたく
yodan verb with 'ku' ending (archaic), intransitive verb
to blink; to wink; to bat (one's eyes)
Archaic intransitive verb meaning to blink or wink. In modern Japanese, 瞬く (またたく) or まばたきする are used instead.
In classical texts, the expression 'to blink one's eyes' can be found.
Modern noun meaning 'blink'; used in まばたきする. More common in everyday speech than the archaic verb.
Archaic kanji form; the reading めばたく is restricted to this spelling. Modern equivalent is 瞬く (またたく).
Alternate archaic kanji form; reading めたたく is not restricted to a specific kanji, but this form is rare.
Archaic verb related to modern 瞬く (またたく). The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 瞬 suggests a connection to blinking or twinkling.