nictitate

[ nik-ti-teyt ]

verb (used without object)

, nic·ti·tat·ed, nic·ti·tat·ing.

1. a variant of nictate ( def ).

nictitate

/ ˈnɪkteɪt; ˈnɪktɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. technical words for blink

Derived Forms

• ˌnictiˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• nic·ti·tant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nictitate¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from Medieval Latin nictitātus, past participle of nictitāre, frequentative of nictāre nictate

Word History and Origins

Origin of nictitate¹

C19: from Medieval Latin nictitāre to wink repeatedly, from Latin nictāre to wink, from nicere to beckon

Example Sentences

Separately, the sclera, the eye’s outer layer, would most closely resemble those of horses and cows and include a nictitating membrane, the built-in goggles that make it possible to see underwater.

From New York Times

In her 2018 special “Elder Millennial,” she references a nictitating membrane, the translucent inner eyelid typically found in reptiles and birds.

From Los Angeles Times

A thin nictitating membrane covers their eyes to protect against sandstorms, and bushy eyebrows and a double row of extra-long lashes help to keep sand out.

From National Geographic

A cat has upper and lower eyelids that meet when the eye closes, along with a mysterious third eyelid—more properly called the palpebra tertia, also known as the nictitating membrane or “haw.”

From Scientific American

He heard the eyases chittering, saw Frightful sitting erect on her stub, and let his nictitating membranes slip across each eye.

From Literature