expectoration
AmericanEtymology
Origin of expectoration
First recorded in 1665–75; expectorate + -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.
In these times of COVID, social distancing and carefully guarded personal expectoration, this sort of spit-sharing is unthinkable.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 9, 2022
Going further, Sumner even mocked his opponent for “the loose expectoration of his speech,” alluding to a facial condition that caused Butler to lose saliva when he spoke.
From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018
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“Oh, you’re gonna spit on us now?” said an angry protester, looking up into what did appear to be a hail of expectoration.
From Slate • Mar. 20, 2016
Geronte’s death appears nearer with every revolting expectoration and race to purge his heaving bowels.
From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2014
This, when it occurs in the course of this disease, is always of low grade, and is attended by the expectoration of mucus streaked with blood.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.