auscultation

[ aw-skuhl-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. the act of listening, either directly or through a stethoscope or other instrument, to sounds within the body as a method of diagnosis.

auscultation

/ ˈɔːskəlˌteɪtɪv; ˌɔːskəlˈteɪʃən; ɔːˈskʌltətərɪ; ɔːˈskʌltətɪv /

noun

1. the diagnostic technique in medicine of listening to the various internal sounds made by the body, usually with the aid of a stethoscope
2. the act of listening

Derived Forms

• auscultatory, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of auscultation¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin auscultātiōn- (stem of auscultātiō ) “a listening, attending to,” equivalent to auscultāt(us) “listened to” (past participle of auscultāre, equivalent to aus-, a variant stem of auris “ear” + -cultā- of uncertain origin and sense) + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn-; -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of auscultation¹

C19: from Latin auscultātiō a listening, from auscultāre to listen attentively; related to Latin auris ear

Example Sentences

In conducting the auscultation the female must recline, and keep as still as possible, breathing low.

From Project Gutenberg

Auscultation also becomes more positive, the sounds being louder and more easily ascertained.

From Project Gutenberg

Ballotment and Auscultation both, now afford unmistakeable evidences as to the condition of the patient.

From Project Gutenberg

Careful auscultation, however, detected a very feeble and intermittent sound in the cardiac region.

From Project Gutenberg

The heart is often dilated, and on auscultation the systolic murmurs associated with that condition are heard.

From Project Gutenberg