expectorate

[ ik-spek-tuh-reyt ]
/ ɪkˈspɛk təˌreɪt /

verb (used without object), ex·pec·to·rat·ed, ex·pec·to·rat·ing.

to eject or expel matter, as phlegm, from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting; spit.

verb (used with object), ex·pec·to·rat·ed, ex·pec·to·rat·ing.

to eject or expel (matter) in this way.

Origin of expectorate

1595–1605; < Latin expectorātus (past participle of expectorāre to expel from the breast), equivalent to ex- ex-1 + pector- (stem of pectus) breast + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM expectorate

ex·pec·to·ra·tor, noun un·ex·pec·to·rat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for expectorate

British Dictionary definitions for expectorate

expectorate
/ (ɪkˈspɛktəˌreɪt) /

verb

to cough up and spit out (sputum from the respiratory passages)

Derived forms of expectorate

expectoration, noun expectorator, noun

Word Origin for expectorate

C17: from Latin expectorāre, literally: to drive from the breast, expel, from pectus breast

Medical definitions for expectorate

expectorate
[ ĭk-spĕktə-rāt′ ]

v.

To eject saliva, mucus, or other body fluid from the mouth; spit.
To clear out the chest and lungs by coughing up and spitting out matter.

Other words from expectorate

ex•pec′to•ration n.