Saliva
Pronunciation
- enPR: sə-līʹ-və IPA: /səˈlaɪvə/
- Rhymes: -aɪvə
Origin
Borrowing from la salīva, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *salw-, *sal- ("dirt, dirty"), cognate with Old English salu ("dark, dusky"). More at sallow.
Full definition of saliva
Noun
saliva
(countable and uncountable; plural salivas)- (physiology) A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches.