nictitating membrane

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

/ ˈnɪk tɪˌteɪ tɪŋ ˈmɛm breɪn /

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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; nictitate + -ing²

Words nearby nictitating membrane

Nicoya, Nicoya Peninsula, nictate, Nictheroy, nictitate, nictitating membrane, nictitation, NICU, Nida, nidal, nidana

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use nictitating membrane in a sentence

Traveling through the bodily fluids of an infected person, Ebola enters through a mucous membrane or break in the skin.
Blood Is Ebola’s Weapon and Weakness|Abby Haglage|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Water has to be pushed through a semipermeable membrane that blocks the salt and other impurities from going through.
Sun+Water= High Tech Caribbean Luxury At The Cusinart Resort|The Daily Beast|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When they are done, the casing has transformed from translucent membrane into chewy, wrinkled coat.
The Texas Church of Beef|Jane & Michael Stern|April 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You ever heard of something called membrane theory, detectives?
‘True Detective’ Episode 5 Review: ‘The Secret Fate of All Life’ is the Best Episode Yet|Andrew Romano|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Small fragments of mucous membrane may be found, and when examined by a pathologist, may occasionally establish the diagnosis.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The damage which they do to the mucous membrane favors bacterial invasion.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
It lives in the large intestine, especially the cecum, with its slender extremity embedded in the mucous membrane.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The thread was lodged in the perforated part, and consequently left in contact with the cellular membrane.
An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae|Edward Jenner
Of these coats he rightly supposes the outermost to be merely the epidermis of the middle membrane or testa.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King

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

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.