expectorate

3 definitions found

expectorate - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Expectorate \Ex*pec"to*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     Expectorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Expectorating.] [L.
     expecrorare to drive from the breast; ex out + pectus,
     pectiris, breast. See Pectoral.]
     To eject from the trachea or lungs; to discharge, as phlegm
     or other matter, by coughing, hawking, and spitting; to spit
     forth.
     [1913 Webster]

  Expectorate \Ex*pec"to*rate\, v. i.
     To discharge matter from the lungs or throat by hawking and
     spitting; to spit.
     [1913 Webster]

expectorate - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  expectorate
      v 1: clear out the chest and lungs; "This drug expectorates
           quickly" [syn: expectorate, clear out, drive out]
      2: discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the
         mouth [syn: expectorate, cough up, cough out, spit   up
         , spit out]