1. blinking or winking, especially the action of closing and opening the eyelids rapidly
Usage: present participle of nictate; formal or technical usage
2. moving or operating a nictitating membrane (a transparent or translucent eyelid found in some animals)
Usage: zoology; technical

Examples

• The owl was nictating rapidly as it adjusted to the bright light.
• She noticed the bird nictating its inner eyelid across its eye.
• The reptile's nictitating membrane was nictating to keep its eye moist.
• He found himself nictating nervously during the tense conversation.
• The cat was nictating slowly, a sign of contentment.