Nictitate - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

nic·ti·tate

Audio Help [nik-ti-teyt] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used without object), -tat·ed, -tat·ing.

to wink.

Also, nictate.

[Origin: 1815–25; < ML nictitātus, ptp. of nictitāre, freq. of L nictāre to wink, freq. of nicere to beckon; see -ate¹

]

—Related forms

nic·ti·tant, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Nictitate

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

nic·ti·tate Audio Help (nĭk'tĭ-tāt') Pronunciation Key
intr.v. nic·ti·tat·ed also nic·tat·ed, nic·ti·tat·ing also nic·tat·ing, nic·ti·tates also nic·tates
To wink. See Synonyms at blink.

[Medieval Latin nictitāre, nictitāt-, frequentative of Latin nictāre.]

nic'ti·ta'tion n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
nictitate

"to wink," 1822, from M.L. nictitatus, pp. of nictitare, freq. of L. nictare "wink, blink," related to second element in connive (q.v.).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

nictitate
verb
briefly shut the eyes; "The TV announcer never seems to blink" [syn: blink]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Nictitate

Har*de"ri*an\, a. (Anat.) A term applied to a lachrymal gland on the inner side of the orbit of many animals which have a third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See Nictitating membrane, under Nictitate.

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