Expectorant: meaning, definitions and examples
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expectorant
[ ɛkˈspɛktərənt ]
medical term
An expectorant is a type of medication used to help clear mucus and phlegm from the airways. It works by thinning the mucus, making it easier to cough up and expel from the respiratory tract. These medications are often recommended for conditions like bronchitis and sinusitis.
Synonyms
antitussive, cough medication, mucolytic
Examples of usage
- The doctor prescribed an expectorant to help relieve my cough.
- Expectorants are commonly found in cough syrups.
- She took an expectorant before going to sleep to reduce nighttime coughing.
Translations
Translations of the word "expectorant" in other languages:
🇵🇹 expectorante
🇮🇳 कफ निकालने वाली दवा
🇩🇪 Expektorans
🇮🇩 ekspektoran
🇺🇦 відхаркувальний засіб
🇵🇱 wykrztuśny
🇯🇵 去痰剤
🇫🇷 expectorant
🇪🇸 expectorante
🇹🇷 balgam söktürücü
🇰🇷 가래약
🇸🇦 مُخَفِّفُ السُّعال
🇨🇿 vykašlávací prostředek
🇸🇰 expektorans
🇨🇳 祛痰药
🇸🇮 izkašljevalec
🇮🇸 hóstalyf
🇰🇿 жөтелге қарсы дәрі
🇬🇪 მოსასმენებელი
🇦🇿 gərçək balgam
🇲🇽 expectorante
Etymology
The word 'expectorant' is derived from the Latin word 'expectorare,' which means 'to expel from the chest.' The prefix 'ex-' means 'out' and 'pectus' refers to 'chest.' The term came into use in the 17th century, initially referring to substances that were used to relieve coughs and facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. The medical use of expectorants became prominent with the advancement of pharmacology in the 19th century, where they were classified as a specific type of respiratory aid. Over time, expectorants have been incorporated into various medicinal forms, including lozenges, syrups, and tablets, to address respiratory conditions effectively.