in the twynklyng of an iȝe

== Middle English == === Alternative forms === in þe twynklynk of an eiȝe === Etymology === From the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:52, translating the Latin in ictu oculi, from the Greek ἐν ῥιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ. === Prepositional phrase === in the twynklyng of an iȝe (idiomatic) Immediately; instantaneously. c. 1300, Anonymous, St. Bernard's Saws, MS. Digby 86, "Ubi sonnt…": And in a twincling of an eye / Hoere soules weren forloren c. 1303, Robert of Brunne, Handlyng Synne, "Sacrylage": And, as yn twynkelyng of an ye, / Yn-to þe cherche gun þey flye 1382, 1395, Wycliffe, Bible, 1 Corinthis 15:52: c. 1385, Chaucer, The Compleynt of Mars: And then hir Ioye, for oght I can espye, / Ne lasteth not the twinkeling of an ye c. 1387-1400, ———, The Canterbury Tales, "The Clerk's Prologue": But deeth, that wol nat suffre us dwellen heer, / But as it were a twynklyng of an ye ==== Descendants ==== English: in the twinkling of an eye ==== References ==== “twinkling(e)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 28 November 2021.