open and close; contract and expand
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to open and close; to contract and expand
literaryUsed in literary or medical contexts to describe rhythmic movement of orifices (eyes, nostrils, mouth) or wings. Often implies a fluttering or flaring motion.
Shuì睡
mián眠
shí时
，
rén人
de的
tóng瞳
kǒng孔
huì会
zì自
rán然
de地
xī翕
zhāng张
。
During sleep, a person's pupils naturally contract and dilate.
Tā他
qì气
de得
bí鼻
yì翼
xī翕
zhāng张
，
shuō说
bù不
chū出
huà话
lái来
。
He was so angry that his nostrils were flaring, unable to speak.
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Niǎo鸟
ér儿
zhàn站
zài在
zhī枝
tóu头
，
chì翅
bǎng膀
wēi微
wēi微
xī翕
zhāng张
。
The bird stood on the branch, its wings fluttering slightly open and closed.
Yú鱼
ér儿
lí离
kāi开
le了
shuǐ水
，
zuǐ嘴
ba巴
wú无
lì力
de地
xī翕
zhāng张
zhe着
。
The fish, having left the water, opened and closed its mouth weakly.