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

In order to prevent the potential ectopic pregnancy from rupturing in the fallopian tube, which can lead to severe bleeding or death, a doctor would usually go in and aspirate the contents of the uterus.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2024

Aspiration occurs in one of every 2,000 to 3,000 operations that require sedation, and almost half of patients who aspirate during surgery develop a related lung injury.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023

Ms Butterworth noted Child I's swollen tummy and asked Ms Letby to aspirate her nasogastric feeding tube, which obtained a "fair amount of air" and 2ml of milk.

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2023

Bone marrow aspirate contains growth factors that decrease inflammation and promote healing, while micro-fragmented adipose tissue is marketed for cushioning and support.

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2021

I lived with him in close intimacy for years, and I never once traced the slightest indication of his ever dropping the aspirate; indeed, no one was more particular in inculcating its proper use.

From Story of My Life, volumes 1-3 by Hare, Augustus J. C.