What does nictitate mean?
Nictitate means to blink, particularly with a rapid or repeated movement. In general use, it can describe a person or animal blinking rapidly, though it is more formal than the ordinary word “blink.” Its best-known technical application is to the nictitating membrane, a transparent or translucent third eyelid found in birds and many other animals. This membrane moves rapidly across the eye to protect it, keep it moist, and sometimes improve vision. The term is therefore used in descriptions of animal anatomy and behaviour, as well as in ophthalmology and veterinary medicine. Nictitate is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation, but it is valuable when precision matters: it distinguishes a deliberate, rapid eyelid movement or the movement of a specialised membrane from an ordinary blink. It also belongs to the vocabulary of adaptation, allowing readers to recognise the physical structures that help animals function in changing environments.
verbTo blink the eyelids, especially rapidly or repeatedly. It is also used technically for the rapid movement of the nictitating membrane in birds and other animals.
- To blink the eyelids, especially rapidly or repeatedly.
- To move the nictitating membrane across the eye, as many birds and other animals do.
"The animal nictitated rapidly, drawing a thin membrane across its eye."
"The owl nictitated as sunlight struck its face."
"Several species of fish nictitate to keep their eyes moist and protected."
Many birds protect their eyes with a nictitating membrane that sweeps across them like a built-in windshield wiper.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nictitate come from?
Nictitate derives from the Latin verb nictitare, a frequentative form of nictare, meaning “to blink” or “to wink.” The English word entered use in the late 16th century in the sense “to blink.” Related English forms include nictitation, a noun referring to blinking or the nictitating membrane, and nictitant, a noun or adjective connected with the membrane. The Latin nictitare is also reflected in the scientific vocabulary describing the rapid movement of the third eyelid in birds and other animals.
Related word forms
How nictitate is actually used
The word is more formal and technical than the everyday verb “blink.” It is especially common in zoology, veterinary science, and ophthalmology.
Easily confused with nictitate
Blink is the ordinary everyday word for closing and reopening the eyelids, whereas nictitate is more technical and often implies a rapid or repeated blink.