Dictionary of troublesome word. Bill Bryson. 2013.
expectorate, spit — The distinction between these two is not, it must be conceded, often a matter of great moment, but still it is worth noting that there is a distinction. To spit means to expel saliva; to expectorate is to dredge up and expel phlegm from the… … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
expectorate, spit — The distinction between these two is not, it must be conceded, often a matter of great moment, but still it is worth noting that there is a distinction. To spit means to expel saliva; to expectorate is to dredge up and expel phlegm from the… … Dictionary of troublesome word
spit — spit1 [spit] n. [ME spite < OE spitu, akin to OHG spizzi, sharp: for IE base see SPIKE1] 1. a thin, pointed rod or bar on which meat is impaled for broiling or roasting over a fire or before other direct heat 2. a narrow point of land, or a… … English World dictionary
expectorate — [ek spek′tə rāt΄, ikspek′tə rāt΄] vt., vi. expectorated, expectorating [< L expectoratus, pp. of expectorare, to expel from the breast < ex , out + pectus (gen. pectoris), breast] 1. to cough up and spit out (phlegm, mucus, etc.) 2. to spit … English World dictionary
spit — [n] saliva discharge, dribble, drool, slaver, spittle, sputum, water; concept 467 spit [v] eject saliva or substance discharge, drool, expectorate, hawk, hiss, sibilate, sizz, slobber, spatter, spew, splutter, spritz, sputter, throw out; concepts … New thesaurus
Expectorate — Ex*pec to*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Expectorated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Expectorating}.] [L. expecrorare to drive from the breast; ex out + pectus, pectiris, breast. See {Pectoral}.] To eject from the trachea or lungs; to discharge, as phlegm or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Expectorate — Ex*pec to*rate, v. i. To discharge matter from the lungs or throat by hawking and spitting; to spit. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
expectorate — (v.) c.1600, to clear out the chest or lungs, from L. expectoratus, pp. of expectorare scorn, expel from the mind, lit. make a clean breast, from ex out (see EX (Cf. ex )) + pectus (gen. pectoris) breast (see PECTORAL (Cf … Etymology dictionary
expectorate — ► VERB ▪ cough or spit out (phlegm) from the throat or lungs. DERIVATIVES expectoration noun. ORIGIN Latin expectorare expel from the chest … English terms dictionary
spit up — verb 1. give reluctantly He coughed up some money for his children s tuition • Syn: ↑cough up, ↑pony up • Hypernyms: ↑give • Verb Frames: Somebody s something … Useful english dictionary
