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aspirate
[ verb as-puh-reyt; noun, adjective, as-per-it ]
/ verb ˈæs pəˌreɪt; noun, adjective, ˈæs pər ɪt /
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verb (used with object), as·pi·rat·ed, as·pi·rat·ing.
Phonetics.
- 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.
- 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.
Medicine/Medical.
- to remove (a fluid) from a body cavity by use of an aspirator or suction syringe.
- to inhale (fluid or a foreign body) into the bronchi and lungs, often after vomiting.
to draw or remove by suction.
noun
Phonetics. a speech sound having as an obvious concomitant an audible puff of breath, as initial stop consonants or initial h-sounds.
Medicine/Medical. the substance or contents that have been aspirated.
adjective
Phonetics. (of a speech sound) pronounced with or accompanied by aspiration; aspirated.
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Origin of aspirate
OTHER WORDS FROM aspirate
non·as·pi·rate, noun, adjectivenon·as·pi·rat·ed, adjectivenon·as·pi·rat·ing, adjectiveun·as·pi·rat·ed, adjectiveWords nearby aspirate
aspic, aspidistra, Aspinwall, aspirant, aspirata, aspirate, aspiration, aspirational, aspirator, aspiratory, aspire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use aspirate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for aspirate
aspirate
verb (ˈæspɪˌreɪt) (tr)
phonetics
- to articulate (a stop) with some force, so that breath escapes with audible friction as the stop is released
- to pronounce (a word or syllable) with an initial h
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
to supply air to (an internal-combustion engine)
noun (ˈæspɪrɪt)
phonetics
- a stop pronounced with an audible release of breath
- the glottal fricative represented in English and several other languages as h
adjective (ˈæspɪrɪt)
phonetics (of a stop) pronounced with a forceful and audible expulsion of breath
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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