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

On my closed eyelids the sun glimmered and blazed.

From Literature

He felt Wolf’s breath on his face; then the downy brush of the cub’s whiskers on his eyelids, and the needle-fine grooming-nibbles on his cheeks and throat.

From Literature

“It seems that Mrs. Blythe is accusing you of . . .” Mrs. Kuen blinkered her eyelids and cleared a catch in her throat.

From Literature

When the sounds don’t stop I finally pry my sticky eyelids open.

From Literature

A few years ago, he could walk this same Luton street without anyone batting an eyelid, but a Brit Award and a handful of top‑ten singles have changed things.

From BBC