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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Origin of nictitating membrane
1705–15; nictate + -ing2
Words nearby nictitating membrane
nicotinize, nicoya, nicoya peninsula, nictheroy, nictitate, nictitating membrane, nictitation, nicu, nid-nod, nida, nidal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
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
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Scientific 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.