nictitating membrane — n. a transparent third eyelid hinged at the inner side or lower lid of the eye of various animals, serving to keep the eye clean and moist: it is vestigial in humans … English World dictionary
Nictitating membrane — The nictitating membrane of a Masked Lapwing as it closes. The nictitating membrane (from Latin nictare, to blink) is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten … Wikipedia
Nictitating membrane — Nictitate Nic ti*tate, v. i. [See {Nictate}.] To wink; to nictate. [1913 Webster] {Nictitating membrane} (Anat.), a thin membrane, found in many animals at the inner angle, or beneath the lower lid, of the eye, and capable of being drawn across… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
nictitating membrane — noun Zoology a whitish membrane forming an inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals. Origin C18: nictitating based on med. L. nictitat blinked , frequentative of nictare … English new terms dictionary
nictitating membrane — noun Date: 1713 a thin membrane found in many vertebrates at the inner angle or beneath the lower lid of the eye and capable of extending across the eyeball … New Collegiate Dictionary
nictitating membrane — a membrane at the front of the eye which can be pulled over the whole eye, e.g. in some Selachii … Dictionary of ichthyology
nictitating membrane — a thin membrane, or inner or third eyelid, present in many animals, capable of being drawn across the eyeball, as for protection. [1705 15; NICTATE + ING2] * * * … Universalium
nictitating membrane — nic′titating mem′brane n. zool. a thin membrane, present in many animals, that can be drawn across the eyeball for protection • Etymology: 1705–15 … From formal English to slang
nictitating membrane — /ˌnɪktəteɪtɪŋ ˈmɛmbreɪn/ (say .niktuhtayting membrayn) noun a thin membrane, or inner third eyelid, present in many animals, capable of being drawn across the eyeball, as for protection …
nictitating membrane — noun a transparent protective fold of skin acting as an inner eyelid in birds, reptiles and some mammals … Wiktionary
