Salivate

Salivate
Salivate Sal"i*vate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Salivated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Salivating}.] [L. salivatus, p. p. of salivare to salivate. See {Saliva}.] To produce an abnormal flow of saliva in; to produce salivation or ptyalism in, as by the use of mercury. [1913 Webster] v. i.

1. To produce saliva, esp. in excess.

2. To drool.

3. (Fig.) To anticipate keenly with pleasure, as though salivating at the expectation of a delicious meal. Used often with over.; as, salivate over the prospects of high profits from an enterprise. [1913 Webster]

Note: Probably influenced by the experiments of Pavlov, who trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell, by previously ringing the bell immediately prior to feeding them. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • salivate — [sal′əvāt΄] vt. salivated, salivating [< L salivatus, pp. of salivare, salivate] to produce an excessive flow of saliva in vi. to secrete saliva salivation n …   English World dictionary

  • salivate — 1660s, from L. salivatus, pp. of salivare, from saliva (see SALIVA (Cf. saliva)). Related: Salivated; salivating …   Etymology dictionary

  • salivate — ► VERB 1) produce saliva, especially in anticipation of food. 2) display great relish at the sight or prospect of something. DERIVATIVES salivation noun. ORIGIN Latin salivare …   English terms dictionary

  • salivate — [[t]sæ̱lɪveɪt[/t]] salivates, salivating, salivated 1) VERB When people or animals salivate, they produce a lot of saliva in their mouth, often as a result of seeing or smelling food. Any dog will salivate when presented with food. Syn: drool… …   English dictionary

  • salivate — UK [ˈsælɪveɪt] / US [ˈsælɪˌveɪt] verb [intransitive] Word forms salivate : present tense I/you/we/they salivate he/she/it salivates present participle salivating past tense salivated past participle salivated to produce more than the usual amount …   English dictionary

  • salivate — /sal euh vayt /, v., salivated, salivating. v.i. 1. to produce saliva. v.t. 2. to produce an excessive secretion of saliva in, as by mercurial poisoning. [1650 60; < L salivatus (ptp. of salivare to cause to salivate); see SALIVA, ATE1] * * * …   Universalium

  • salivate — sal|i|vate [ˈsælıveıt] v 1.) to produce more saliva in your mouth than usual, especially because you see or smell food 2.) to look at or show interest in something or someone in a way that shows you like or want them very much used to show… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • salivate — sal•i•vate [[t]ˈsæl əˌveɪt[/t]] v. i. vat•ed, vat•ing phl to produce saliva • Etymology: 1650–60; < L salīvātus, ptp. of salīvāre to cause to salivate …   From formal English to slang

  • salivate — intransitive verb ( vated; vating) Date: circa 1706 1. to have a flow of saliva especially in excess 2. to show great desire or anticipation ; drool • salivation noun • salivator noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • salivate — verb a) To produce saliva. Hes been salivating over the latest model sports car for awhile now. b) To show eager anticipation at the expectation of something. See Also: saliva, salivary …   Wiktionary

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