Lactation
/lækˈteɪʃən/noun
The process of producing milk from the mammary glands of mammals.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, milk was seen as a sacred substance, often associated with the nurturing goddess Juno, intertwining motherhood with divine protection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leḱ-
“To lick, indicative of nurturing behavior.”
Latin
Latin
lactāre
“To suckle or give milk.”
Late Latin
Late Latin
lactātiō
“A suckling, or the act of giving milk.”
Middle English
Middle English
lactacioun
“The act of suckling or nursing.”
Modern English
English
lactation
“The process of producing milk, especially in the context of motherhood.”
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