SALIVA

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does saliva mean? 

• SALIVA (noun)
  The noun SALIVA has 1 sense:

1. a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

  Familiarity information: SALIVA used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SALIVA (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

saliva; spit; spittle

Hypernyms ("saliva" is a kind of...):

secretion (a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell)

Meronyms (substance of "saliva"):

ptyalin (an amylase secreted in saliva)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "saliva"):

dribble; drivel; drool; slobber (saliva spilling from the mouth)

tobacco juice (saliva colored brown by tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco))

Holonyms ("saliva" is a part of...):

salivary gland (any of three pairs of glands in the mouth and digestive system that secrete saliva for digestion)

Derivation:

salivary (of or relating to saliva)

salivate (produce saliva)

 Context examples 

A laboratory test of biological material such as blood, urine, hair, saliva or sweat, used to detect the presence of a drug or its metabolites with in the body.

(Drug Test, NCI Thesaurus)

It is also being studied as a treatment to reduce the thickness of saliva in patients being treated for head and neck cancer.

(Dornase alfa inhalation solution, NCI Dictionary)

It is caused by the build-up of saliva and mucus in the throat and upper airways when the person is too weak to cough.

(Death rattle, NCI Dictionary)

It increases the amount of saliva and sweat made by saliva and sweat glands.

(Cevimeline hydrochloride, NCI Dictionary)

The esophagus is the tube that carries food, liquids and saliva from your mouth to the stomach.

(Esophagus Disorders, NIH)

The FIV virus is transmitted in the saliva or blood, commonly through the bite wound from an infected cat.

(Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, NCI Thesaurus)

Laboratory tests can measure the hormone levels in your blood, urine, or saliva.

(Hormones, NIH)

A plant-based, proprietary formulation of saliva substitute with potential anti-xerostomia activity.

(Herbal Polysaccharide Saliva Substitute, NCI Thesaurus)

Fifth disease spreads easily, through saliva and mucus.

(Fifth Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

A substance that increases production of saliva and tears.

(Cevimeline, NCI Dictionary)