aspirate

American  

[as-puh-reyt, as-per-it] / ˈæs pəˌreɪt, ˈæs pər ɪt /

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.

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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 British  

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)

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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

Etymology

Origin of aspirate

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

Example Sentences

She is concerned that Óisín's cerebral palsy puts him at a greater risk of complications, saying she had been warned there was a danger he could aspirate.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2023

Speech therapists did innumerable swallow tests to make sure Starkey wouldn’t aspirate food into her lungs before they allowed her to eat real food again.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2022

Numerous studies suggest clinical improvement in knee osteoarthritis using PRP, micro-fragmented adipose tissue transfer and bone marrow aspirate.

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2021

We could not hurry; if we did, he might aspirate what was in his mouth.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2019

In regard to the name-form Amal, Closs remarks, in his edition of 1886: Amal, sic, Ambr. cum Epit. et Pall, nisi quod hi Hamal aspirate.

From Teutonic Mythology, Vol. 1 of 3 Gods and Goddesses of the Northland by Ph.D.