How Do You Spell NICTITATE?

Pronunciation: [nˈɪktɪtˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "nictitate" might not be one you come across often, but it refers to the act of blinking or winking. It is spelled as [nɪk.tɪ.teɪt] in IPA phonetic transcription. The "nic" is pronounced like "nick" and the "titate" like "tite-ate". This complicated-looking spelling can be confusing, but it breaks down the sounds of the word quite accurately. So next time you see someone nictitating, you'll know exactly how to say it!

NICTITATE Meaning and Definition

1. Nictitate is a verb that refers to the act of winking or blinking, especially one eye at a time. It is derived from the Latin word "nictitare" which means to wink or twinkle. When someone nictitates, they briefly close one eye and then open it again.

   The act of nictitation can convey various meanings depending on the context. It can be a voluntary gesture used to communicate a secret message or a playful, flirtatious signal between individuals. Alternatively, nictitating can also occur involuntarily due to a reflex or a physical condition such as an eye infection or irritation.

   Nictitation can also refer to a specific behavior observed in animals, particularly birds and reptiles. In this context, nictitating refers to the rapid and protective blinking of a third eyelid, known as a nictitating membrane or third eyelid. This translucent membrane helps to moisten and protect the eye while still allowing the animal to retain some vision.

   Overall, nictitate is a verb that describes the act of winking or blinking, either intentionally or involuntarily. It encompasses both the human gesture of winking and the natural protective blinking observed in certain animals.

2. To wink.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for NICTITATE

• bictitate
• mictitate
• hictitate
• nuctitate
• njctitate
• nkctitate
• noctitate
• n9ctitate
• n8ctitate
• nixtitate
• nivtitate
• niftitate
• nidtitate
• nicritate
• nicfitate
• nicgitate
• nicyitate
• nic6itate
• nic5itate

Etymology of NICTITATE

The word "nictitate" is derived from the Latin verb "nictitare", which means "to wink". It is a frequentative form of the Latin word "nictare", which shares the same meaning. Both words are ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kneigw-", meaning "to bend" or "to incline". This root gives rise to various words related to bending or movement, such as "incline" or "knee". In the case of "nictitate", it specifically refers to the rapid movement of the eyelid in the action of winking, hence its association with the act of closing and opening one eye quickly.

Similar spelling words for NICTITATE

• nictitation,
• nictate.

Conjugate verb Nictitate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have nictitated

you would have nictitated

he/she/it would have nictitated

we would have nictitated

they would have nictitated

I would have nictitate

you would have nictitate

he/she/it would have nictitate

we would have nictitate

they would have nictitate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been nictitating

you would have been nictitating

he/she/it would have been nictitating

we would have been nictitating

they would have been nictitating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would nictitate

you would nictitate

he/she/it would nictitate

we would nictitate

they would nictitate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be nictitating

you would be nictitating

he/she/it would be nictitating

we would be nictitating

they would be nictitating

FUTURE

I will nictitate

you will nictitate

he/she/it will nictitate

we will nictitate

they will nictitate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be nictitating

you will be nictitating

he/she/it will be nictitating

we will be nictitating

they will be nictitating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have nictitated

you will have nictitated

he/she/it will have nictitated

we will have nictitated

they will have nictitated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been nictitating

you will have been nictitating

he/she/it will have been nictitating

we will have been nictitating

they will have been nictitating

IMPERATIVE

you nictitate

we let´s nictitate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to nictitate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was nictitating

you were nictitating

he/she/it was nictitating

we were nictitating

they were nictitating

PAST PARTICIPLE

nictitated

PAST PERFECT

I had nictitated

you had nictitated

he/she/it had nictitated

we had nictitated

they had nictitated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been nictitating

you had been nictitating

he/she/it had been nictitating

we had been nictitating

they had been nictitating

PRESENT

I nictitate

you nictitate

he/she/it nictitates

we nictitate

they nictitate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am nictitating

you are nictitating

he/she/it is nictitating

we are nictitating

they are nictitating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

nictitating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have nictitated

you have nictitated

he/she/it has nictitated

we have nictitated

they have nictitated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been nictitating

you have been nictitating

he/she/it has been nictitating

we have been nictitating

they have been nictitating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it nictitate

SIMPLE PAST

I nictitated

you nictitated

he/she/it nictitated

we nictitated

they nictitated