sputum
pronunciation
How to pronounce sputum in British English:
UK [ ˈspjuːtəm]
How to pronounce sputum in American English:
US [ ˈspjuːtəm]
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- Noun:
- expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness
Word Origin
- sputum
- sputum: see spit
- sputum (n.)
- 1690s, from Latin sputum, noun use of neuter past participle of spuere "to spit" (see spew (v.)).
Example
- 1. P : the wound is painful and the sputum is difficult to expectorate .
- 2. A non-productive cough does not expel sputum from the respiratory tract .
- 3. The system could also diagnose sickle-cell anaemia from blood samples , while fluorescent images of a stained sputum smear were sufficient to identify the presence of tuberculosis .
- 4. Keep an eye on the sticky , disgusting sputum you cough and check out its color .
- 5. A highly specific and sensitive fluorescent molecule can rapidly detect tuberculosis ( tb ) bacteria in sputum samples , according to work published this week in nature chemistry 1 .