definitions

nictitate

[ nik-ti-teyt ]
/ ˈnɪk tɪˌteɪt /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nictitate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), nic·ti·tat·ed, nic·ti·tat·ing.

to wink.

RELATED WORDS

bat, flicker, twinkle, sparkle, flash, shimmer, wink, glimmer, scintillate, nictate, glitter, flutter, squint

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 forms

nic·ti·tant, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for nictitate

nictitate

nictate (ˈnɪkteɪt)

/ (ˈnɪktɪˌteɪt) /

verb

technical words for blink (def. 1)

Derived Forms

nictitation 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012