Library / English Dictionary

SALIVA

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

Synonyms:

saliva; spit; spittle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("saliva" is a kind of...):

secretion (a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell)

Meronyms (substance of "saliva"):

ptyalin (an amylase secreted in saliva)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "saliva"):

dribble; drivel; drool; slobber (saliva spilling from the mouth)

tobacco juice (saliva colored brown by tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco))

Holonyms ("saliva" is a part of...):

salivary gland (any of three pairs of glands in the mouth and digestive system that secrete saliva for digestion)

Derivation:

salivary (of or relating to saliva)

salivate (produce saliva)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Dry mouth is the feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth.

(Dry Mouth, NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Disorders)

They collected saliva samples before and after a 15-minute vaping session and analyzed the samples for chemicals that are known to damage DNA.

(Using Electronic Cigarettes Can Damage DNA, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

To activate the battery, the researchers added water or saliva.

(New Type of Battery Created from Paper, Fueled by Bacteria, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The test uses ultraviolet light to measure stress hormones in a drop of blood, sweat, urine or saliva.

(Engineers create a simple test that can measure stress, National Science Foundation)

They shed the virus in their urine, droppings, and saliva.

(Hantavirus Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

An organ that produces and secretes hormones (e.g. endocrine gland), saliva or sweat (e.g. exocrine gland).

(Gland, NCI Thesaurus)

These inhibitory effects cause a decrease in saliva, bronchial mucus, gastric juices, and sweat.

(Hyoscyamine, NCI Thesaurus)

N. sicca is found in the nasopharynx, saliva, and sputum of humans, but is also an opportunistic pathogen.

(Neisseria sicca, NCI Thesaurus)

It spreads from person to person through coughs, sneezes and saliva, as well as through contact with contaminated items and surfaces.

(Mumps Virus, NCI Thesaurus)

Salivary glands that produce and secrete a saliva made up exclusively of mucous.

(Mucous Salivary Gland, NCI Thesaurus)