nictitate

[ nik-ti-teyt ]
/ ˈnɪk tɪˌteɪt /

verb (used without object), nic·ti·tat·ed, nic·ti·tat·ing.

to wink.
Also nic·tate.

Origin of nictitate

1815–25; < Medieval Latin nictitātus, past participle of nictitāre, frequentative of Latin nictāre to wink, frequentative of nicere to beckon; see -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM nictitate

nic·ti·tant, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for nictitate

nictitate

nictate (ˈnɪkteɪt)

/ (ˈnɪktɪˌteɪt) /

verb

technical words for blink (def. 1)

Derived forms of nictitate

nictitation or nictation, noun

Word Origin for nictitate

C19: from Medieval Latin nictitāre to wink repeatedly, from Latin nictāre to wink, from nicere to beckon