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Synonyms

deglutition

American  
[dee-gloo-tish-uhn] / ˌdi glʊˈtɪʃ ən /

noun

Physiology.
  1. the act or process of swallowing.


deglutition British  
/ ˌdiːɡlʊˈtɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of swallowing

"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

Other Word Forms

  • deglutitious adjective

Etymology

Origin of deglutition

1640–50; < French déglutition < Latin dēglūtīt ( us ) (past participle of dēglūtīre to swallow down, equivalent to dē- de- + glūtī ( re ) to swallow ( glutton 1 ) + -tus past participle suffix) + French -ion -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Although this sounds quick and effortless, deglutition is, in fact, a complex process that involves both the skeletal muscle of the tongue and the muscles of the pharynx and esophagus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Describe the three processes involved in the esophageal phase of deglutition.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The suprahyoid muscles raise the hyoid bone, the floor of the mouth, and the larynx during deglutition.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

At this point, deglutition apnea takes place, which means that breathing ceases for a very brief time.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In consequence of the former paralysis, deglutition becomes difficult; fluids are expelled through the nose or enter the larynx and bronchi, thereby giving rise to pneumonia; in the latter there is strabismus.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various