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View synonyms for saliva

saliva

[ suh-lahy-vuh ]

noun

  1. a viscid, watery fluid, secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands, that functions in the tasting, chewing, and swallowing of food, moistens the mouth, and starts the digestion of starches.


saliva

/ səˈlaɪvə; səˈlaɪvərɪ; ˈsælɪvərɪ /

noun

  1. the secretion of salivary glands, consisting of a clear usually slightly acid aqueous fluid of variable composition. It moistens the oral cavity, prepares food for swallowing, and initiates the process of digestion sialoid


saliva

/ sə-lī /

  1. The watery fluid that is secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands. In many animals, including humans, it contains the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates. Saliva also contains mucus, which lubricates food for swallowing, and various proteins and mineral salts. Some special chemicals occur in the saliva of other animals, such as anticoagulants in the saliva of mosquitoes.


saliva

  1. The fluid produced by the secretions of the salivary glands . Saliva contains enzymes that begin the digestion of starches. It also moistens the mouth tissues and makes food easier to chew and swallow.


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Derived Forms

  • salivary, adjective

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Other Words From

  • sal·i·var·y [sal, -, uh, -ver-ee], adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of saliva1

First recorded in 1670–80, saliva is from the Latin word salīva

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Word History and Origins

Origin of saliva1

C17: from Latin, of obscure origin

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Example Sentences

Despite the protests of AIDS activists that saliva alone could not transmit the illness, kissing became an industry controversy.

We spit our saliva into our spit kits after forgoing food for an hour before.

The simple act of extra chewing will help create additional saliva which can aid in digestion.

A few of them spat brown saliva into the dust in front of them and then cleaned their mouths with the ends of their turbans.

As they rip into the slabs, saliva, sand, and sweat begin seasoning the meat.

The mouth is still more ugly without the lip-piece, the teeth appearing, and saliva running through.

It acts also upon the secretions—the saliva, milk and bile— which often become actually poisoned.

Saliva, like tears, had creative and therefore curative qualities; it also expelled and injured demons and brought good luck.

The digestion or change of starch to grape sugar is caused by the presence in the saliva of an enzyme, or digestive ferment.

Careful tests of the starch paste and of the saliva made separately will usually show no grape sugar in either.

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Salish Seasalivary gland