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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nictitating membrane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 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

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