expectorate

expectorate Definition

ex·pec·to·rate (ek spek′tə rāt′, ik-)

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·rat′ed, -·rat′·ing

Etymology: < L expectoratus, pp. of expectorare, to expel from the breast < ex-, out + pectus (gen. pectoris), breast

expectorate Related Forms

ex·pec′·to·ra′·tion noun

expectorate Synonyms

cough up, spit out, hawk, spew; see spit.

expectorate Usage Examples

Object

mucus: Or, it can be chronic, as with a smoker's cough and attendant poor ability to expectorate excessive mucus.

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