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Glite Dictionary
nictation

nictation

9.9
A quick closing and opening of the eyelids
  • noun
  • /nɪkˈteɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : parpadeo
  • The doctor explained that frequent nictation can indicate an underlying eye problem.

Examples

  • During the lecture, I noticed his constant nictation as he struggled to stay awake.

  • Nictation is the reflex action that occurs when my eyes quickly close and open as I blink to moisten them.

  • Very little has been published ascribing function to the IL2 neurons; however, they do regulate nictation, a behavior whereupon a nematode waves its head in three dimensions (Lee et al. 2012).

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

blink
vsnictation
70 1.0

A quick closing and opening of the eyelids

refers specifically to the reflex action rather than any quick movement
blinking
vsnictation
13 1.0

A quick closing and opening of the eyelids

is the technical term used for the reflex action
eye blink
vsnictation
2 1.0

A quick closing and opening of an eyelid that keeps the eye wet and protected

is the reflex action without focusing on protection or moisture
nictitation
vsnictation
  • Specialized
9.9

A quick blinking of the eyelids without thinking

is the same action but spelled in a different form

How Fast

nictation
  • Specialized
9.9
blink
70 1.0

Surface Forms

nictation singular
nictations plural

Morphology

nictation = nictate (semi-transparent) = nictate + ion

Formed by the regular noun-forming suffix '-ion' from the verb 'nictate', but the verb and root are uncommon, so many learners will not recognise the base.

Etymology

Nictation comes from the Latin verb nictare, which means 'to blink' or 'to wink'. So nictation is a formal word for the quick closing and opening of the eyes, in other words a 'blink'.