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nictitating membrane

noun

a thin membrane, or inner or third eyelid, present in many animals, capable of being drawn across the eyeball, as for protection.

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Nearby words

  1. nicoya,
  2. nicoya peninsula,
  3. nicoya, gulf of,
  4. nictheroy,
  5. nictitate,
  6. nictitation,
  7. nicu,
  8. nid-nod,
  9. nida,
  10. nidal

Origin of nictitating membrane

1705–15; nictate + -ing2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for nictitating membrane

nictitating membrane

/ (ˈnɪktɪˌteɪtɪŋ) /

noun

(in reptiles, birds, and some mammals) a thin fold of skin beneath the eyelid that can be drawn across the eyeAlso called: third eyelid, haw
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
Science definitions for nictitating membrane

nictitating membrane

[ nĭk′tĭ-tā′tĭng ]

A transparent inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some mammals that protects and moistens the eye without blocking vision.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.