sputum

spu·tum  (spytm)

n. pl. spu·ta (-t)

Matter coughed up and usually ejected from the mouth, including saliva, foreign material, and substances such as mucus or phlegm, from the respiratory tract.

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[Latin sptum, from neuter past participle of spuere, to spit.]

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sputum

Noun

pl -ta saliva, usually mixed with mucus [Latin]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sputum - expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness phlegm mucous secretion, mucus - protective secretion of the mucus membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium