NICTITATING

ppr. or a.Winking. The nictitating membrane is a thin membrane that covers and protects the eyes of some animals, without entirely obstructing the sight.

nictitating membrane

nic ti tat ing mem brane |ˈniktiˌtātiNG ˌnɪktəˌteɪdɪŋ ˈmɛmbreɪn | ▶noun Zoology a whitish or translucent membrane that forms an inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals. It can be drawn across the eye to protect it from dust and keep it moist. Also called third eyelid. ORIGIN early 18th cent.: nictitating based on medieval Latin nictitat- ‘blinked, ’ frequentative of nictare.

nictitating membrane

nic |ti ¦tat ¦ing mem |brane ▶noun Zoology a whitish or translucent membrane that forms an inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals. It can be drawn across the eye to protect it from dust and keep it moist. Also called third eyelid. ORIGIN early 18th cent.: nictitating based on medieval Latin nictitat- ‘blinked ’, frequentative of nictare.