saliva
nounUK /səˈlaɪvə/
US /səˈlaɪvə/
The wet stuff in your mouth that helps you chew and swallow food.
The smell of fresh bread made her mouth fill with saliva.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The clear liquid produced by glands in the mouth that begins breaking down food.
Saliva contains enzymes that start digesting starches.
3. A foamy or watery fluid in the mouth, sometimes a sign of nausea or excitement.
The dog's saliva dripped onto the floor as it waited for its treat.
4. In biology, a secretion used by some animals for defense or to moisten food.
Some insects inject saliva into their prey to soften it.