verb
- to blink or wink; to close and open the eyes rapidly
Usage: formal or technical; often used in zoology and anatomy
Examples
- The bird began to nictitate as dust settled on its eyelids.
- Reptiles nictitate using a transparent membrane called the nictitating membrane.
- She nictitated nervously during the tense conversation.
- The cat nictitated slowly, a sign of contentment.
- When exposed to bright light, the animal's eyes nictitate involuntarily.