sternutation

[stur-nyuh-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of sneezing.

sternutation

/ ˌstɜːnjʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a sneeze or the act of sneezing

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternutation¹

1535–45; < Latin sternūtātiōn- (stem of sternūtātiō ), equivalent to sternūtāt ( us ) (past participle of sternūtāre, frequentative of sternuere to sneeze) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternutation¹

C16: from Late Latin sternūtāre to sneeze, from sternuere to sputter (of a light)

Example Sentences

The official medical term for sneezing is “sternutation,” which sounds like “stern,” which is maybe something we should be with them a little more.

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But more sophisticated observers had already recognised that this was not a sternutation, but the dab, a dance craze that has long since slipped its faddish origins to become a dance staple.

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He has a good online following, eager to hear about his latest sternutation, and says he will continue for the rest of his life.

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His sneeze count, currently just over 4,000, has a healthy online following as people log in to read about his latest sternutation.

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The dons from high table looked coldly down the hall, expressing a vague, but seemingly impotent disapproval, for immediately afterward that sternutation shook the air a second time.

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