Definition of "twinkle"

These stars do not twinkle when viewed through telescopes that have large apertures.

1704, I[saac] N[ewton], “(please specify |book=1 to 3)”, in Opticks: Or, A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. […], London: […] Sam[uel] Smith, and Benj[amin] Walford, printers to the Royal Society, […]

The western sky twinkled with stars.

1814 July 7, [Walter Scott], Waverley; […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown

As the train rumbled slowly over the Forth Bridge, the western sky was aflame with a particularly gorgeous sunset, and lights were twinkling from the small craft riding at anchor on the calm waters of the firth.

1950 January, Arthur F. Beckenham, “With British Railways to the Far North”, in Railway Magazine, page 8

She smiled and gave a little nod and twinkled her eyes […]

1922, Mrs. Juliet M. Hueffer Soskice, Chapters from Childhood: Reminiscences of an Artist's Granddaughter, page 165

The Owl Fell a Moping and Twinkling.

1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […]

A butterfly twinkled among the vines […]

1988, Dorothy Gilman, Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle, page 190

Soon the rocket was out of sight, and the flame was only seen as a tiny twinkle of light.

1980, Robert De Beaugrande, Text, Discourse, and Process

I saw the twinkle of white feet,

1848, James Russell Lowell, Hebe