Definitions for saliva
səˈlaɪ vəsali·va

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. saliva, spit, spittlenoun

   a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. salivanoun

   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.

2. Etymology: From saliva, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from salw-, cognate with salu. More at sallow.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. SALIVAnoun

   Every thing that is spit up; but it more strictly signifies that juice which is separated by the glands called salival. John Quincy

   Etymology: Latin.

   Not meeting with disturbance from the saliva, I the sooner extirpated them. Richard Wiseman, Surgery.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Saliva

   Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as lipase and amylase), antimicrobial agents (such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes).The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats. These enzymes also play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices, thus protecting teeth from bacterial decay. Saliva also performs a lubricating function, wetting food and permitting the initiation of swallowing, and protecting the oral mucosa from drying out.Various animal species have special uses for saliva that go beyond predigestion. Some swifts use their gummy saliva to build nests. Aerodramus nests form the basis of bird's nest soup. Cobras, vipers, and certain other members of the venom clade hunt with venomous saliva injected by fangs. Some caterpillars produce silk fiber from silk proteins stored in modified salivary glands (which are unrelated to the vertebrate ones).

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Salivanoun

   the secretion from the salivary glands

2. Etymology: [L.; cf. Gr. .]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Saliva

   Saliva is a watery substance located in the mouths of organisms, secreted by the salivary glands. Human saliva is 99.5% water, while the other 0.5% consists of electrolytes, mucus, glycoproteins, enzymes, and antibacterial compounds such as secretory IgA and lysozyme. The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats. These enzymes also play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices, protecting teeth from bacterial decay. Furthermore, saliva serves a lubricative function, wetting food and permitting the initiation of swallowing, and protecting the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity from desiccation. Various species have special uses for saliva that go beyond predigestion. Some swifts use their gummy saliva to build nests. Aerodramus nests are prized for use in bird's nest soup. Cobras, vipers, and certain other members of the venom clade hunt with venomous saliva injected by fangs. Some arthropods, such as spiders and caterpillars, create thread from salivary glands.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Saliva

   sa-lī′va, n. the spittle, one of the digestive fluids, mainly the product of the salivary glands.—adjs. Salī′val, Sal′ivant, producing salivation.—n. Salī′va-pump, a device for carrying off the accumulating saliva.—adj. Sa′livary, pertaining to, secreting, or containing saliva.—n. that which produces salivation.—v.t. Sal′ivāte, to produce an unusual amount of saliva.—n. Salivā′tion, an unusual flow of saliva.—adj. Sal′ivous, like spittle. [Fr.,—L., allied to Gr. sialon, saliva.]

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Saliva

   The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the SALIVARY GLANDS and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains MUCINS, water, organic salts, and ptylin.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. saliva

   A form of liquid created in the mouth.

   Saliva contributes to the way we eat our food and how we feel.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on September 6, 2020  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. saliva

   Song lyrics by saliva -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by saliva on the Lyrics.com website.

EntomologyRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Saliva

   the secretion of the salivary glands that moistens and begins the digestion of the food.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. SALIVA

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Saliva is ranked #154907 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Saliva surname appeared 105 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Saliva.
   
   68.5% or 72 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   15.2% or 16 total occurrences were White.
   14.2% or 15 total occurrences were Asian.

Anagrams for saliva »

1. salvia

2. Valais

3. avails

How to pronounce saliva?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say saliva in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of saliva in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of saliva in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of saliva in a Sentence

1. Andrew Brooks:

   We can preserve precious personal protective equipment for use in patient care instead of testing. We can significantly increase the number of people tested each and every day as self-collection of saliva is more quick and scalable than swab collections, all of this combined will have a tremendous impact on testing in New Jersey and across United States.

2. Raymond Casciari:

   The saliva you secrete when chewing gum really has a calming effect on acid reflux.

3. Andrew Brooks:

   It means we no longer have to put health care professionals at risk for infection by performing nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal collections, we can preserve precious personal protective equipment for use in patient care instead of testing. We can significantly increase the number of people tested each and every day as self-collection of saliva is more quick and scalable than swab collections.

4. Shraddha Sapkota:

   Saliva is very easy to collect and transport, which will enhance participation in remote centers and diverse populations.

5. Bonnie Henry:

   There is no evidence that I am aware of that shows Lyssin has any therapeutic benefit, more importantly, I am concerned that if a product did actually contain what is suggested, saliva from a rabid dog, that would put the patient at risk of contracting rabies, a serious, fatal illness.

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