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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LOS ANGELES -- Detectives say saliva helped solve a multiple murder case that eluded investigators for six years in Southern California.
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Adequate fluid intake helps maintain our body-fluid balance, which is important for saliva production and maintaining body temperature.
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But that sequence feels a distant memory once Alien: Covenant gets its guns out, so to speak, and the buckets of blood, guts and saliva begin sloshing about the screen.
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In contrast, showing people pictures of office supplies led to a reduction in saliva, at least when compared to baseline.
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
First Known Use: 15th century
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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