1. to blink or wink; to close and open the eyes quickly
Usage: formal or technical; often used in zoology and anatomy to describe the action of a nictitating membrane

Examples

• The bird nictates rapidly to keep its eyes moist.
• When exposed to bright light, the cat nictates several times.
• The reptile nictates using its transparent third eyelid.
• She nictates nervously during the tense conversation.
• The nictitating membrane nictates to protect the eye from dust.