aspirate

[ verb as-puh-reyt; noun, adjective, as-per-it ]
/ verb ˈæs pəˌreɪt; noun, adjective, ˈæs pər ɪt /

verb (used with object), as·pi·rat·ed, as·pi·rat·ing.

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.
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.
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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of aspirate

1660–70; < Latin aspīrātus breathed upon (past participle of aspīrāre). See aspire, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM aspirate

non·as·pi·rate, noun, adjectivenon·as·pi·rat·ed, adjectivenon·as·pi·rat·ing, adjectiveun·as·pi·rat·ed, adjective

Words nearby aspirate

aspic, aspidistra, aspinwall, aspirant, aspirata, aspirate, aspiration, aspiration biopsy, aspiration pneumonia, aspirational, aspirator
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for aspirates

British Dictionary definitions for aspirates

aspirate

verb (ˈæspɪˌreɪt) (tr)

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
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
  1. a stop pronounced with an audible release of breath
  2. 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for aspirates

aspirate
[ ăs′pə-rāt′ ]

v.

To take in or remove by aspiration.

n.

A substance removed by aspiration.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.