nictitate Definition
- 1to wink or blink
- 2to close and open the eyes quickly
Using nictitate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "nictitate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She nictitated at me to indicate that I should be quiet.
Example
The bright light made him nictitate involuntarily.
Example
He couldn't help but nictitate when the wind blew dust into his eyes.
nictitate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with nictitate
a thin, transparent eyelid found in some animals that protects and moistens the eye without obstructing vision
Example
The nictitating membrane of a bird's eye is used to protect the eye while flying.
Example
The doctor tested her nictitate reflex by shining a bright light into her eyes.
Example
He suffered from nictitate spasms whenever he was under stress.
Origins of nictitate
from Latin 'nictitare', meaning 'to wink'
Summary: nictitate in Brief
'Nictitate' [nik-ti-teyt] means to wink or blink, often rapidly. It can be voluntary or involuntary, as in 'The bright light made him nictitate involuntarily.' The term extends to phrases like 'nictitate membrane,' which refers to a thin, transparent eyelid found in some animals, and 'nictitate reflex,' which is an involuntary blinking of the eye in response to a stimulus.
