Saliva: meaning, definitions and examples

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saliva

[ səˈlaɪvə ]

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digestion

Saliva is the watery and usually somewhat frothy substance produced in the mouths of humans and animals that aids in the preliminary digestion of food.

Synonyms

drool, spit, spittle

Examples of usage

Excessive saliva can be a symptom of certain medical conditions.
The enzymes in saliva help break down food particles.

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medical

Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by rinsing away food particles and protecting the teeth from decay.

Synonyms

mouthwater, oral fluid

Examples of usage

Dry mouth can lead to a decrease in saliva production.
Some medications can cause a reduction in saliva flow.

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scientific

In scientific studies, saliva is often used as a non-invasive sample for testing various biomarkers and diseases.

Synonyms

oral secretion, salivary fluid

Examples of usage

Saliva testing has become more popular for its convenience and accuracy.
Researchers are exploring the potential of saliva as a diagnostic tool.

Translations

Translations of the word "saliva" in other languages:

🇵🇹 saliva

🇮🇳 सलिवा

🇩🇪 Speichel

🇮🇩 air liur

🇺🇦 слина

🇵🇱 ś saliva

🇯🇵 唾液

🇫🇷 salive

🇪🇸 saliva

🇹🇷 tükürük

🇰🇷 침

🇸🇦 لعاب

🇨🇿 slina

🇸🇰 slina

🇨🇳 唾液

🇸🇮 slina

🇮🇸 munnvatn

🇰🇿 тіс

🇬🇪 სილა

🇦🇿 saliva

🇲🇽 saliva

Word origin

The word 'saliva' originates from the Latin word 'saliva', which means 'spittle' or 'moisture'. Saliva has been recognized for its importance in digestion and oral health since ancient times. In Greek and Roman medicine, saliva was believed to have healing properties. Today, saliva continues to be a subject of scientific research for its diagnostic and therapeutic potential.