auscultation

American  

[aw-skuhl-tey-shuhn] / ˌɔ skəlˈteɪ ʃən /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Other Word Forms

• auscultatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of auscultation

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

Example Sentences

He went on to invent the stethoscope and is considered the father of auscultation.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2016

It can detect and transmit lung sounds to a smartphone, tablet or computer wirelessly, and allows hands-free auscultation of the chest.

From Forbes • Jul. 15, 2014

During auscultation, it is common practice for the clinician to ask the patient to breathe deeply.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 19.30 Stethoscope Placement for Auscultation Proper placement of the bell of the stethoscope facilitates auscultation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

There was an auscultation accomplished with a wineglass.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides