Definition

1. Verb:
   • To close and open the eyes quickly; to blink. It is a formal or technical term for the rapid, involuntary or voluntary, closing and opening of the eyelids.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The bright flash of light caused him to nictate rapidly.
  • Observing how often a person nictates can be part of a medical examination.

Advanced Usage

• "nictate at": To blink in reaction to something.
  • She nictated at the sudden gust of wind.
• Used in biological and medical contexts to describe the blinking reflex or action in humans and animals.

Variants and Related Words

• Nictitation (noun): The act or process of blinking.
  • Nictitation is a protective reflex for the eye.
• Nictitating membrane (noun): A transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals (e.g., birds, reptiles) that moves across the eye for protection and moisture.
  • The frog's nictitating membrane closed over its eye as it submerged.

Synonyms

• Blink: To shut and open the eyes quickly.
• Wink: To close and open one eye quickly, typically as a signal.
• Flicker: (Of the eyes) to move or close quickly and lightly.

Related Phrases

• Not a nictate: An emphatic way to say "not even a blink," indicating no reaction or hesitation.
  • He didn't nictate when confronted with the shocking news. (Note: This is a constructed phrase for illustration, as idioms with "nictate" are exceedingly rare in common usage.)

Notes on Usage

• "Nictate" is a highly specialized, formal term. In everyday English, "blink" is almost always used instead.
• It is most commonly encountered in scientific, zoological, or medical writing.

Verb

1. briefly shut the eyes
   • The TV announcer never seems to blink