tinkle

name

1. A surname.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English tinclen, equivalent to tink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with West Frisian tinkelje (“to tinkle”), Dutch tinkelen (“to tinkle”), German Low German tinkeln (“to flicker, glitter, sparkle”).

1. A light metallic sound, resembling the tinkling of bells or wind chimes.

   “The Man's Wife heard the tinkle-tinkle of little stones and loose earth falling off the roadway, and the sliding roar of the man and horse going down.”

   “She laughed, her voice a tinkle in the silence of the circular chamber.”

2. A telephone call.

   “Give me a tinkle when you arrive.”

3. An act of urination.
4. Urine.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English tinclen, equivalent to tink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with West Frisian tinkelje (“to tinkle”), Dutch tinkelen (“to tinkle”), German Low German tinkeln (“to flicker, glitter, sparkle”).

1. To make light metallic sounds, rather like a very small bell.

   “The glasses tinkled together as they were placed on the table.”

   “The sprightly horse / Moves to the music of his tinkling bells.”

2. To cause to tinkle.
3. To indicate, signal, etc. by tinkling.

   “The butler tinkled dinner.”

4. To hear, or resound with, a small, sharp sound.

   “And his ears tinkled, and the colour fled.”

5. To urinate.