Saliva
/səˈlaɪvə/noun
A viscous liquid secreted by salivary glands in the mouth to moisten food, aid swallowing, and begin digestion.
Did you know?Romans spat saliva on gladiators for luck and used it medicinally per Pliny, believing it channeled vital salts and supernatural essence from the gods.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*séh₂l-
“salt”
Proto-Italic
Pit
*salāwā
“saliva, spittle”
Classical Latin
Lat
salīva
“spittle, slime”
Medieval Latin
MLat
saliva
“salivary secretion”
17th Century
Eng
saliva
“spit, salivary fluid”
Modern English
Eng
saliva
“mouth moisture for digestion”