saliva
a viscid, watery fluid, secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands, that functions in the tasting, chewing, and swallowing of food, moistens the mouth, and starts the digestion of starches.
Origin of saliva
1Other words from saliva
- sal·i·var·y [sal-uh-ver-ee], /ˈsæl əˌvɛr i/, adjective
Words Nearby saliva
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use saliva in a sentence
The tests we’d use are paper strips that require only a saliva sample.
America Doesn’t Have a Coherent Strategy for Asymptomatic Testing. It Needs One. | by Caroline Chen | September 1, 2020 | ProPublicaThis isn’t the first test to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva, which is easier to collect than samples from nasal passages.
New coronavirus tests promise to be faster, cheaper and easier | Jack J. Lee | August 31, 2020 | Science NewsIn contrast, the UIUC website says that typical saliva test results are available within five hours.
One university may have the best COVID testing operation in the U.S.—and tests students twice a week | Lee Clifford | August 29, 2020 | FortuneAs methods became available for measuring cortisol from samples of saliva — rather than having to collect blood or urine — Gunnar set out to study how the HPA axis influences the brain and behavior in humans.
Puberty can repair the brain’s stress responses after hardship early in life | Esther Landhuis | August 28, 2020 | Science NewsBefore and after these tasks, researchers collected saliva from each child to measure cortisol levels.
Puberty may reboot the brain and behaviors | Esther Landhuis | August 27, 2020 | Science News For Students
Despite the protests of AIDS activists that saliva alone could not transmit the illness, kissing became an industry controversy.
Hollywood’s Evolving Heart: How Movies Grew to Love Gays | Teo Bugbee | May 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe spit our saliva into our spit kits after forgoing food for an hour before.
23andMe and Me: Why Policymakers Should Set the Genetic Testing Company Free | Charles C. Johnson | February 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe simple act of extra chewing will help create additional saliva which can aid in digestion.
Use These 15 Home Remedies Based On Ayurveda To Cure Menstrual Cramps, Hangovers, and Indigestion | Ari Meisel | January 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA few of them spat brown saliva into the dust in front of them and then cleaned their mouths with the ends of their turbans.
A Carpet Weaver’s Essential Afghan Memoir: Qais Akbar Omar’s ‘A Fort of Nine Towers’ | John Kael Weston | June 6, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAs they rip into the slabs, saliva, sand, and sweat begin seasoning the meat.
Reality TV’s Grossest Moments: Dead Cats, Donkey Semen & More (VIDEO) | Kevin Fallon | December 5, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe mouth is still more ugly without the lip-piece, the teeth appearing, and saliva running through.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria GrahamIt acts also upon the secretions—the saliva, milk and bile— which often become actually poisoned.
Gospel Philosophy | J. H. Wardsaliva, like tears, had creative and therefore curative qualities; it also expelled and injured demons and brought good luck.
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria | Donald A. MackenzieThe digestion or change of starch to grape sugar is caused by the presence in the saliva of an enzyme, or digestive ferment.
A Civic Biology | George William HunterCareful tests of the starch paste and of the saliva made separately will usually show no grape sugar in either.
A Civic Biology | George William Hunter
British Dictionary definitions for saliva
/ (səˈlaɪvə) /
the secretion of salivary glands, consisting of a clear usually slightly acid aqueous fluid of variable composition. It moistens the oral cavity, prepares food for swallowing, and initiates the process of digestion: Related adjective: sialoid
Origin of saliva
1Derived forms of saliva
- salivary (səˈlaɪvərɪ, ˈsælɪvərɪ), adjective
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
Scientific definitions for saliva
[ sə-lī′və ]
The watery fluid that is secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands. In many animals, including humans, it contains the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates. Saliva also contains mucus, which lubricates food for swallowing, and various proteins and mineral salts. Some special chemicals occur in the saliva of other animals, such as anticoagulants in the saliva of mosquitoes.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for saliva
[ (suh-leye-vuh) ]
The fluid produced by the secretions of the salivary glands. Saliva contains enzymes that begin the digestion of starches. It also moistens the mouth tissues and makes food easier to chew and swallow.
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.
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