sputum

[ spyoo-tuhm ]
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noun,plural spu·ta [spyoo-tuh]. /ˈspyu tə/.
  1. matter, as saliva mixed with mucus or pus, expectorated from the lungs and respiratory passages.

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Origin of sputum

1
1685–95; <Latin spūtum, noun use of neuter of spūtus, past participle of spuere to spit, equivalent to spū- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix

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British Dictionary definitions for sputum

sputum

/ (ˈspjuːtəm) /


nounplural -ta (-tə)
  1. a mass of salivary matter ejected from the mouth

  2. saliva ejected from the mouth mixed with mucus or pus exuded from the respiratory passages, as in bronchitis or bronchiectasis

Origin of sputum

1
C17: from Latin: spittle, from spuere to spit out

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