nictitating membrane

[ nik-ti-tey-ting mem-breyn ]

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

Origin of nictitating membrane

1
1705–15; nictitate + -ing2

Words Nearby nictitating membrane

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How to use nictitating membrane in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nictitating membrane

nictitating membrane

/ (ˈnɪktɪˌteɪtɪŋ) /


noun
  1. (in reptiles, birds, and some mammals) a thin fold of skin beneath the eyelid that can be drawn across the eye: Also 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

Scientific definitions for nictitating membrane

nictitating membrane

[ nĭktĭ-tā′tĭng ]


  1. 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.