nicto, āvi, ātum, 1, and ĕre, 3, v. n., and nictor, ātus, v. dep. n. [1. nico], to move the eyelids.
I Lit., to move the eyelids up and down, to wink, blink : plerisque naturale ut nictari (al. nictare) non cessent, Plin. 11, 37, 54, § 144; 11, 37, 57, § 156.—Form nicto, ĕre: (canis) voce suā nictit ululatque ibi acute, Enn. ap. Paul. ex Fest. p. 177 Müll. (Ann. v. 346 Vahl.).—
2 To make a sign with the eyes, to wink : neque illa ulli homini nutet, nictet, annuat, Plaut. As. 4, 1, 39; id. Men. 4, 2, 49; id. Merc. 2, 3, 72.—
B Transf., of fire: nictantia fulgura flammae, flashing , Lucr. 6, 182.—
II Trop., to exert one's self, to strive : nictare et oculorum et aliorum membrorum nisu saepe aliquid conari, dictum est ab antiquis, ut Lucretius in libro quarto (6, 836): Hic ubi nictari nequeunt (Lachm. nixari): Caecilius in Hymnide: Garrulis medentes jactent, sine nictentur perticis, Paul. ex Fest. p. 177 Müll.