nictitate
[ nik-ti-teyt ]
/ ˈnɪk tɪˌteɪt /
verb (used without object), nic·ti·tat·ed, nic·ti·tat·ing.
to wink.
Nearby words
nicotinize, nicoya, nicoya peninsula, nicoya, gulf of, nictheroy, nictitate, nictitating membrane, nictitation, nicu, nid-nod, nida
Also nic·tate.
Origin of nictitate
1815–25; < Medieval Latin nictitātus, past participle of nictitāre, frequentative of Latin nictāre to wink, frequentative of nicere to beckon; see -ate1
Related formsnic·ti·tant, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for nictitate
Derived Formsnictitation or nictation, noun
Word Origin for nictitate
C19: from Medieval Latin nictitāre to wink repeatedly, from Latin nictāre to wink, from nicere to beckon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for nictitate
nictitate
"to wink," 1822, from Medieval Latin nictitatus, past participle of nictitare, frequentative of Latin nictare "wink, blink," related to nicere "to beckon," from PIE root *kneigwh- "to lean on, to bend" (the eyelids together). Related: Nictitated; nictitating (1713). Earlier form was nictate (v.), 1690s, from Latin nictare.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper