aspirate

[as-puh-reyt, as-per-it]

verb (used with object)

aspirated, aspirating 

1. Phonetics.

   1. to articulate (a speech sound, especially a stop) so as to produce an audible puff of breath, as with the first t of total, the second t being unaspirated.

   2. to articulate (the beginning of a word or syllable) with an h -sound, as in which, pronounced (hwich), or hitch as opposed to witch or itch.

2. Medicine/Medical.

   1. to remove (a fluid) from a body cavity by use of an aspirator or suction syringe.

   2. to inhale (fluid or a foreign body) into the bronchi and lungs, often after vomiting.

3. to draw or remove by suction.

noun

1. Phonetics.,  a speech sound having as an obvious concomitant an audible puff of breath, as initial stop consonants or initial h -sounds.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  the substance or contents that have been aspirated.

adjective

1. Phonetics.,  (of a speech sound) pronounced with or accompanied by aspiration; aspirated.

aspirate

verb

1. phonetics

   1. to articulate (a stop) with some force, so that breath escapes with audible friction as the stop is released

   2. to pronounce (a word or syllable) with an initial h

2. to draw in or remove by inhalation or suction, esp to suck (air or fluid) from a body cavity or to inhale (fluid) into the lungs after vomiting

3. to supply air to (an internal-combustion engine)

noun

1. phonetics

   1. a stop pronounced with an audible release of breath

   2. the glottal fricative represented in English and several other languages as h

adjective

1. phonetics (of a stop) pronounced with a forceful and audible expulsion of breath

Other Word Forms

• nonaspirate noun
• nonaspirated adjective
• nonaspirating adjective
• unaspirated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspirate¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin aspīrātus “breathed upon” (past participle of aspīrāre ); aspire, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

"It's meant to break up sputum, but kids under two can't spit it out, so the mucus can be aspirated into the lungs, causing pneumonia - yet it is still prescribed."

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An autopsy concluded Skaggs accidentally died of asphyxia after aspirating his own vomit while under the influence of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol.

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This is partly what is behind the current push off-track from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for a return to naturally aspirated engines - on which there has been a development this weekend in Italy.

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The puppy, whom he named Franklin, aspirated on his vomit and developed pneumonia.

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They are heavier than the old naturally aspirated ones - especially because of the batteries.

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