SPITTLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spittle mean? 

• SPITTLE (noun)
  The noun SPITTLE 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: SPITTLE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPITTLE (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 ("spittle" 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 "spittle"):

ptyalin (an amylase secreted in saliva)

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

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

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

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

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