Definition of saliva
: a slightly alkaline secretion of water, mucin, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme (such as ptyalin) that is secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, lubricates ingested food, and often begins the breakdown of starches
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Examples of saliva in a Sentence
our mouths filled with saliva when we smelled the delicious dinner
Recent Examples of saliva from the Web
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Included in the data clouds are their full genome sequences; blood, saliva, urine, and stool samples taken every 3 months that measured levels of 643 metabolites and 262 proteins; and physical activity and sleep monitoring.
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Chewing gum allows a pitcher to retain more saliva; pitchers are permitted to lick their fingers on the mound.
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Other times, the tongue fails to push at all and saliva trickles down the airway to the lungs in a steady stream.
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It's believed that something in the saliva of the lone star tick is triggering an allergy to the sugar molecule galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose—known as alpha-gal for short—that is found in red meat.
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The truth-or-dare style game forces players to either answer a question or eat an undesirable dish (think bird saliva and cow tongue).
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Anyone can contract meningitis, which is transmitted through swapping saliva, like kissing or sharing drinks and cigarettes.
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The state laboratory also conducted new DNA testing on saliva that had been found in bite marks on both of Carla Terry's breasts.
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Tuberculosis is a contagious lung ailment that spreads through saliva droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by a person with active tuberculosis disease.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'saliva.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of saliva
Latin
SALIVA Defined for English Language Learners
saliva
playDefinition of saliva for English Language Learners
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: the liquid produced in your mouth that keeps your mouth moist and makes it easier to swallow food
SALIVA Defined for Kids
saliva
playDefinition of saliva for Students
: a watery fluid that moistens chewed food and contains enzymes which break down starch and that is secreted into the mouth from three pairs of glands near the mouth
Medical Dictionary
saliva
playMedical Definition of saliva
: a slightly alkaline secretion of water, mucin, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme (as ptyalin) that is secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, lubricates ingested food, and often begins the breakdown of starches
Learn More about saliva
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See words that rhyme with saliva Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for saliva Spanish Central: Translation of saliva Nglish: Translation of saliva for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of saliva for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saliva
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