Pronunciation: [nˈɪktɪtˌe͡ɪts] (IPA) 
The word "nictitates" is a verb that refers to the action of winking. Its pronunciation is /nɪkˈtɪteɪts/. The first syllable, "nic," is pronounced with a short "i" sound /nɪk/. The second syllable, "ti," is pronounced with the long "i" sound /ˈtaɪ/. The final syllable, "tates," is pronounced with a short "a" sound /teɪts/. The spelling of "nictitates" is not particularly difficult once you know its phonetic pronunciation.
"Nictitates" is the third person singular form of the verb "nictitate." The term "nictitate" refers to the act of winking or blinking typically done voluntarily by closing and opening one eye quickly. This gesture is usually temporary and can be brief or repeated several times in sequence.
The term "nictitates" can also be applied metaphorically to describe a rapid or repetitive fluttering or blinking movement, such as the flickering of lights or the rapid blinking of an illuminated sign.
The word "nictitate" is derived from the Latin word "nictitare," which means "to wink." This action is a natural reflex in humans as well as some animals, serving various purposes including clearing the eye of dust or debris, signaling agreement or consent, or expressing amusement or connivance.
In addition to its literal meaning, "nictitates" can also be used in a figurative sense to describe a deliberate and subtle gesture or non-verbal communication aimed at conveying a hidden meaning or message. The act of nictitating can be seen as a form of non-verbal communication that occurs in certain cultural or social contexts, suggesting complicity, understanding, or shared understanding between individuals.
The word "nictitates" is derived from the Latin verb "nictitare", which means "to wink" or "to close one's eyes rapidly". "Nictitare" is a frequentative form of the verb "nictare", meaning "to wink". The Latin root "nict-" is believed to imitate the sound of a rapid eye movement or blinking. The English word "nictitate" is a rare term and is used to describe the act of winking or blinking repeatedly.
