nictitate
[ nik-ti-teyt ]
/ ˈnɪk tɪˌteɪt /
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verb (used without object), nic·ti·tat·ed, nic·ti·tat·ing.
to wink.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT 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
OTHER WORDS FROM nictitate
nic·ti·tant, adjectiveWords nearby nictitate
nicotinize, Nicotrol, Nicoya, Nicoya Peninsula, Nictheroy, nictitate, nictitating membrane, nictitation, NICU, Nida, nidal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for nictitate
Derived forms of nictitate
nictitation or nictation, nounWord 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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