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

His eyelids were freezing together, and soon they would be bound shut as ice pellets whipped his face from all directions.

From Literature

She would peel back my eyelids and look at my eyeballs, peer down in my ears, and punch around on me with her fingers.

From Literature

Patients who went under the knife late last year are now debuting tighter skin, flatter stomachs and lifted eyelids to their social networks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Towns, meanwhile, suffered a nasty cut on his right eyelid when a drive to the rim ended in a clash of heads with Denver's Spencer Jones in the final minute of the first quarter.

From Barron's

An involuntary spasm came over Ma and her eyelids parted briefly, showing only the whites of her eyes.

From Literature