Expectorate

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪkˈspÉ›ktÉ™reɪt/

Origin

From Latin expectorātus, past participle of expectorāre ("only fig. banish from the mind, but literally (as in modern use) expel from the breast"), from ex ("out of") + pectus ("the breast").

Full definition of expectorate

Verb

1. to cough up fluid from the lungs
2. to spit

Related terms

• expectorant
• expectoration