sputum

[ spyoo-tuh m ]
/ ˈspyu təm /

noun, plural spu·ta [spyoo-tuh] /ˈspyu tə/.

matter, as saliva mixed with mucus or pus, expectorated from the lungs and respiratory passages.

Origin of sputum

1685–95; < Latin spūtum, noun use of neuter of spūtus, past participle of spuere to spit, equivalent to spū- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix

Example sentences from the Web for sputum

British Dictionary definitions for sputum

sputum
/ (ˈspjuːtəm) /

noun plural -ta (-tə)

a mass of salivary matter ejected from the mouth
saliva ejected from the mouth mixed with mucus or pus exuded from the respiratory passages, as in bronchitis or bronchiectasis

Word Origin for sputum

C17: from Latin: spittle, from spuere to spit out

Medical definitions for sputum

sputum
[ spyōōtəm ]

n. pl. spu•ta (-tə)

Matter coughed up and usually expelled from the mouth, especially mucus or mucopurulent matter expectorated in diseases of the air passages.