Library / English Dictionary

NICTITATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Briefly shut the eyes

Example:

The TV announcer never seems to blink

Synonyms:

blink; nictate; nictitate; wink

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "nictitate" is one way to...):

act involuntarily; act reflexively (act in an uncontrolled manner)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "nictitate"):

palpebrate (wink or blink, especially repeatedly)

bat; flutter (wink briefly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

nictitation (a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly)

Credits