First Known Use: circa 1693
Dictionary
sputum
noun spu·tum \ˈspyü-təm, ˈspü-\
medical : a thick liquid that comes up from your lungs when you are sick
plural spu·ta \-tə\
Full Definition of SPUTUM
: expectorated matter especially from the air passages in diseases of the lungs, bronchi, or upper respiratory tract
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Origin of SPUTUM
Latin, from neuter of sputus, past participle of spuere to spit — more at spew
Rhymes with SPUTUM
Medical Dictionary
sputum
noun spu·tum \ˈsp(y)üt-əm\
plural spu·ta \-ə\
Medical Definition of SPUTUM
: matter expectorated from the respiratory system and especially the lungs and bronchi in diseased states that is composed chiefly of mucus but may contain pus, blood, fibrin, or microorganisms (as bacteria)
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