aspirate

[ verb as-puh-reyt; noun adjective as-per-it ]

verb (used with object)

, as·pi·rat·ed, as·pi·rat·ing.

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 Words From

• non·aspi·rate noun adjective
• non·aspi·rated adjective
• non·aspi·rating adjective
• un·aspi·rated 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

Some operate like bellows, creating an accordion-like sound as they aspirate.

From The Daily Beast

Bottle propping and speed-feeding gruel causes them to choke and aspirate their food—sometimes causing pneumonia and death.

From The Daily Beast

It may be preceded by the aspirate h, or by some consonant, as may be thought necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

Penty Hook is the common pronunciation, and if without the aspirate, so much the nearer local correctness.

From Project Gutenberg

Proceeding as before, aspirate a volume of serum into the capillary stem up to the level of the pencil mark.

From Project Gutenberg

Take another similarly prepared pipette and aspirate into it equal volumes of washed cells, bacterial emulsion and pooled serum.

From Project Gutenberg

In emptying itself the aspirator bottle will aspirate 10 litres of air slowly through the water in the Erlenmeyer flask.

From Project Gutenberg