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Glite Dictionary
to nictate

to nictate

9.9
To close and open the eyes quickly
  • verb
  • /ˈnɪkˌteɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : parpadear
  • After staring at the screen for too long, he had to nictate to relieve his dry eyes.

It's like a it's a nictating membrane that wipes it wipes the the eye when it needs to.

Examples

  • She often nictated while reading in the sun, trying to protect her eyes from the glare.

  • During the movie, I had to nictate frequently because the bright lights were uncomfortable.

  • It's like a it's a nictating membrane that wipes it wipes the the eye when it needs to.

    Late Night with Seth Meyers

Synonyms

to blink
vsto nictate
181 1.0

To close and open the eyelids quickly without thinking

is the same quick action but not limited to involuntary movement
to nictitate
vsto nictate
  • Specialized
1 9.9

To close and open the eyes briefly

is the general quick closing and opening rather than an automatic action

How Fast

to flutter
10 3.7
to nictate
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

nictate infinitive
nictated past
nictated past participle
nictating present participle
nictates third person singular

Morphology

nictate = nictation (opaque) = nict + ate

The forming element 'nict-' is not a familiar standalone English base for learners (even though related nouns like 'nictation' exist), so the verb's meaning is not derivable from common English components.

Etymology

Nictate comes from the Latin verb nictare, which meant 'to wink' or 'to blink'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of the common word 'blink' and the related word nictitating for the thin extra eyelid some animals have, so nictate means to quickly close and open the eyes.