mucus

[ myoo-kuh s ]
/ ˈmyu kəs /

noun

a viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water, electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands lining the nasal, esophageal, and other body cavities and serves primarily to protect and lubricate surfaces.

Origin of mucus

1655–65; < Latin mūcus snot; akin to Greek myktḗr nose, mýxa slime

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH mucus

mucous mucus

Example sentences from the Web for mucus

British Dictionary definitions for mucus

mucus
/ (ˈmjuːkəs) /

noun

the slimy protective secretion of the mucous membranes, consisting mainly of mucin

Word Origin for mucus

C17: from Latin: nasal secretions; compare mungere to blow the nose; related to Greek muxa mucus, muktēr nose

undefined mucus

See mucous

Medical definitions for mucus

mucus
[ myōōkəs ]

n.

The viscous slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and that is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by the cells and glands of the mucous membranes.

Scientific definitions for mucus

mucus
[ myōōkəs ]

The slimy, viscous substance secreted as a protective lubricant by mucous membranes. Mucus is composed chiefly of large glycoproteins called mucins and inorganic salts suspended in water.

Cultural definitions for mucus

mucus

A slippery and somewhat sticky fluid secreted by the glands in mucous membranes. Mucus lubricates and protects the mucous membranes.