Skip to main content

salivaryrelating to or producing saliva (the watery liquid in the mouth)

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: relating to or producing saliva (the watery liquid in the mouth)

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsæləˌveri/

Example Sentences

  • The dentist explained that reduced salivary function can lead to tooth decay.
  • My salivary glands go into overdrive whenever I see pizza commercials on TV.
  • Scientists study salivary biomarkers to diagnose various diseases.

salivary

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈsæləˌveri/]

relating to or producing saliva (the watery liquid in the mouth)

Drooling at delicious food
💡 Concept

Drooling at delicious food

Salivary research is necessary, bacterial cultures temporary!
🎵 Rhyme

Salivary research is necessary, bacterial cultures temporary!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈsæləˌveri/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈsæləvəri/

🌳Etymology

Rootsaliv-
Suffix--ary

Origin

The word derives from Latin saliva, meaning 'spittle' or 'mouth fluid', with the adjectival suffix -ary (meaning 'relating to' or 'connected with') appended to form an adjective describing things pertaining to saliva.

Breakdown

saliva (spittle, mouth fluid) + -ary (relating to, of the nature of). The suffix -ary is a productive Latin adjective-forming element used to indicate association or relation.

🎵Rhyme

necessarytemporaryitary
necessary
temporary
itary

🔗Collocations

salivary glands
salivary flow
salivary secretion
salivary enzyme
salivary duct

📝Examples

The dentist explained that reduced salivary function can lead to tooth decay.

😄 Fun example

My salivary glands go into overdrive whenever I see pizza commercials on TV.

Scientists study salivary biomarkers to diagnose various diseases.

😄 Fun example

His salivary response to the smell of bacon was embarrassingly obvious.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

oralbuccalmouth-related

Antonyms

drynon-secretory

Related

salivaglandsecretionenzymedigestive

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.