-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
nictitating membrane
noun
: 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
Examples of nictitating membrane in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other species guard their vision with a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2016
In other animals, the nictitating membrane is a fold of tissue in the inner corner of the eye that serves as a sort of third eyelid, providing protection and cleaning.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1713, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of nictitating membrane was
in 1713
Dictionary Entries Near nictitating membrane
Cite this Entry
“Nictitating membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nictitating%20membrane. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
nictitating membrane
noun
nic·ti·tat·ing membrane
ˌnik-tə-ˌtāt-iŋ-
: a thin membrane found in many animals at the inner angle or beneath the lower lid of the eye and capable of extending across the eyeball
Medical Definition
nictitating membrane
noun
: a thin membrane found in many vertebrate animals at the inner angle or beneath the lower lid of the eye and capable of extending across the eyeball
called also membrana nictitans, third eyelid
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share