Definition

1. Noun:
   • A clear liquid secreted into the mouth: "Saliva" is the watery, usually clear fluid produced by glands in the mouth. It moistens the mouth, aids in swallowing, and begins the process of digesting food, especially starches.

Usage

• Saliva is a non-count noun. It is typically used without an article when referring to the substance in general.
  • Saliva is essential for good oral health.
• When referring to a specific quantity or instance, it can be used with quantifiers.
  • A drop of saliva
  • There was saliva on the pillow.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The smell of food can stimulate the production of saliva.
  • He wiped the saliva from the baby's chin.
  • Digestion begins in the mouth as enzymes in saliva start to break down starches.

Advanced Usage

• "To make one's mouth water": This idiom describes something so appealing that it stimulates saliva production.
  • The sight of the cake made her mouth water.
• In medical or biological contexts, saliva is discussed for its components (enzymes like amylase, antibodies) and functions (lubrication, digestion, antimicrobial activity).

Variants and Related Words

• Salivary (adj): Relating to or producing saliva.
  • The salivary glands are located under the tongue and near the ears.
• Salivate (v): To produce an excessive flow of saliva, often in response to food or anticipation.
  • The dog would salivate every time it heard the food bag.
• Spit (n/v): While "spit" can be a more informal synonym for saliva (n), it more commonly refers to the act of ejecting saliva from the mouth (v).
  • (n) There's spit on the sidewalk. (Informal)
  • (v) It is rude to spit in public.

Synonyms

• Spittle: A more formal or literary term for saliva, especially after it has been spat out.
• Drool: Saliva that flows uncontrollably from the mouth, often during sleep or in response to food.

Related Phrases

• To water at the mouth: Similar to "to make one's mouth water," meaning to produce saliva in anticipation.
  • The delicious aroma made my mouth water.
• Dry mouth: A condition where there is a lack of sufficient saliva.
  • Some medications can cause dry mouth.

Noun

1. 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