1 expectorate | Definition of expectorate
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expectorate

verb
ex·​pec·​to·​rate | \ ik-ˈspek-tə-ˌrāt How to pronounce expectorate (audio) \
expectorated; expectorating

Definition of expectorate

transitive verb

1 : to eject from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting
2 : spit

intransitive verb

1 : to discharge matter from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting
2 : spit

Other Words from expectorate

expectoration \ ik-​ˌspek-​tə-​ˈrā-​shən How to pronounce expectoration (audio) \ noun

First Known Use of expectorate

1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for expectorate

Latin expectoratus, past participle of expectorare to banish from the mind (taken to mean literally "to expel from the chest"), from ex- + pector-, pectus breast, soul — more at pectoral

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More Definitions for expectorate

expectorate

verb
ex·​pec·​to·​rate | \ -tə-ˌrāt How to pronounce expectorate (audio) \
expectorated; expectorating

Medical Definition of expectorate

transitive verb

1 : to eject from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting
2 : spit

intransitive verb

1 : to discharge matter from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting
2 : spit

More from Merriam-Webster on expectorate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with expectorate

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