eyelid

American  

[ahy-lid] / ˈaɪˌlɪd /

noun

1. the movable lid of skin that serves to cover and uncover the eyeball.

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eyelid British  

/ ˈaɪˌlɪd /

noun

1. either of the two muscular folds of skin that can be moved to cover the exposed portion of the eyeball

2. Also called: clamshell.  aeronautics a set of movable parts at the rear of a jet engine that redirect the exhaust flow to assist braking during landing

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Etymology

Origin of eyelid

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; eye, lid

Example Sentences

"My first thought was that my kids, whose faces live permanently on the inside of my eyelids, wouldn't remember me."

From BBC

The circle worried him, and his left eyelid jumped, a tic that had recently developed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Misuse of Botox can cause drooping eyelids, blurred vision, headaches and, in rare cases, respiratory failure or paralysis.

From BBC

"You see tourists dressed in western clothing here all the time and no-one bats an eyelid," she adds.

From BBC

Omar Fateh steadied himself before the camera and flashed a smile between heavy blinks, the weight of a nearly sleepless night tugging at his eyelids.

From Salon