mucus
[ myoo-kuh s ]
/ ˈmyu kəs /
noun
a viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water, electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands lining the nasal, esophageal, and other body cavities and serves primarily to protect and lubricate surfaces.
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Origin of mucus
1655–65; < Latin mūcus snot; akin to Greek myktḗr nose, mýxa slime
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH mucus
mucous mucusWords nearby mucus
mucous membrane, mucous plug, mucoviscidosis, mucro, mucronate, mucus, mud, mud bath, mud berth, mud bug, mud crab
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for mucus
British Dictionary definitions for mucus
mucus
/ (ˈmjuːkəs) /
noun
the slimy protective secretion of the mucous membranes, consisting mainly of mucin
Word Origin for mucus
C17: from Latin: nasal secretions; compare mungere to blow the nose; related to Greek muxa mucus, muktēr nose
undefined mucus
See mucous
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for mucus
mucus
[ myōō′kəs ]
n.
The viscous slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and that is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by the cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for mucus
mucus
[ myōō′kəs ]
The slimy, viscous substance secreted as a protective lubricant by mucous membranes. Mucus is composed chiefly of large glycoproteins called mucins and inorganic salts suspended in water.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for mucus
mucus
A slippery and somewhat sticky fluid secreted by the glands in mucous membranes. Mucus lubricates and protects the mucous membranes.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.