saliva

Meaning

Noun

• A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches.

Origin

• A , replacing or merging with Middle English salive, salve, from the same Latin source. Further origin uncertain. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *salw-, *sal-, cognate with Old English salu. More at sallow.