expectorate (redirected from expectorates)

ex·pec·to·rate  (k-spkt-rt)

v. ex·pec·to·rat·ed, ex·pec·to·rat·ing, ex·pec·to·rates

v.tr.

1. To eject from the mouth; spit.

2. To cough up and eject by spitting.

v.intr.

1. To spit.

2. To clear out the chest and lungs by coughing up and spitting out matter.

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[Latin expectorre, expectort-, to drive from the chest : ex-, ex- + pectus, pector-, chest.]

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ex·pecto·ration n.

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expectorate

Verb

[-rating, -rated] Formal to cough up and spit out (phlegm from the respiratory passages) [Latin expectorare to drive from the breast, expel]

expectoration n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	expectorate - clear out the chest and lungs; "This drug expectorates quickly" clear out, drive out remove, take away, withdraw, take - remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract; "remove a threat"; "remove a wrapper"; "Remove the dirty dishes from the table"; "take the gun from your pocket"; "This machine withdraws heat from the environment"
	2.	expectorate - discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth cough out, cough up, spit up, spit out cough - exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion; "The smoker coughs all day" ptyalise, ptyalize, spew, spit, spue - expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth; "The father of the victim spat at the alleged murderer" spit out, splutter, sputter - spit up in an explosive manner eject, expel, release, exhaust, discharge - eliminate (a substance); "combustion products are exhausted in the engine"; "the plant releases a gas"