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 mucusWords nearby mucus
mucous membrane,
mucous plug,
mucoviscidosis,
mucro,
mucronate,
mucus,
mud,
mud bath,
mud berth,
mud bug,
mud crab
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
[ myōō′kəs ]
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
[ myōō′kəs ]
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.