nictate

[ nik-teyt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to wink.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nictate¹

First recorded in 1755–65; from Latin nictātus, past participle of nictāre “to wink, fidget”

Example Sentences

Nictate, nik′tāt, v.i. to wink—also Nic′titate.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

The Twitter movement is a reminder of just how much people like to root for the underdog: @Nictate wrote “Reading through the host of #teammargaret tweets was like hearing the flood of prayers on behalf of George Bailey.”

From Time

Associated words: alary, alate, alation, elytra, neuration, shard. wing, n. annex, ell; flank. wink, v. nictate, nictitate; overlook, ignore, connive at. winking, n. nictation, nictitation. winning, n. achievement, gaining. winning, a. charming, captivating, winsome, engaging. winter, n.

From Project Gutenberg

V. be dimsighted &c. n.; see double; have a mote in the eye, have a mist before the eyes, have a film over the eyes; see through a prism, see through a glass darkly; wink, blink, nictitate; squint; look askant†, askant askance†; screw up the eyes, glare, glower; nictate†. dazzle, loom.

From Project Gutenberg