salivate

[ sal-uh-veyt ]

verb (used without object)

, sal·i·vat·ed, sal·i·vat·ing.

1. to produce saliva.

verb (used with object)

, sal·i·vat·ed, sal·i·vat·ing.

1. to produce an excessive secretion of saliva in, as by mercurial poisoning.

salivate

/ ˈsælɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. intr to secrete saliva, esp an excessive amount
2. tr to cause (a laboratory animal, etc) to produce saliva, as by the administration of mercury

Derived Forms

• ˌsaliˈvation, noun

Other Words From

• un·sali·vated adjective
• un·sali·vating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of salivate¹

1650–60; < Latin salīvātus (past participle of salīvāre to cause to salivate); saliva, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Compared to their peers who ate regular corn and hay feed, the hemp cows were more relaxed, yawning and salivating more often, and got into some “pronounced tongue play,” the authors write.

From Popular-Science

Also starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams, with former “X-Men” star Patrick Stewart coming onboard for an “undisclosed role” that has Marvel fans salivating for a long-hoped-for crossover.

From Washington Blade

With its robust interest targeting, first and third party data, conversion and other offerings, it’s an offering that would make any media buyer salivate.

From Digiday

Presumably the only option left is to cut spending on Medicaid or Social Security or some other popular safety-net program Republicans have long salivated over slashing.

From Washington Post

Should Woods manage to recover and build his body back into the shape where he can compete, maybe there will be a time when the hope will return, when we will salivate for every update about the improbable moving toward possible.

From Washington Post

My Life and Living History hit the perfect intersection of news and gossip, and people who salivate for both bought those books.

From The Daily Beast

But my parents also left me with a dearth of hobbies that make admissions committees salivate.

From The Daily Beast

What is it about celebrities that makes otherwise sensible journalists salivate and tilt at windmills?

From The Daily Beast

I would salivate, literally, at his stories of hunting the lawless lands of Europe.

From The Daily Beast

Thoroughly masticate the food, and well salivate it before swallowing.

From Project Gutenberg

Hit's too much de work er yo' j'ints ter make me b'lieve hit's gwine ter salivate yo' soul.

From Project Gutenberg

Doctor Cooke's only fear in his heroic use of calomel was that it would salivate.

From Project Gutenberg

It has been known thus to salivate cattle, but the danger of injury to them from this source is slight.

From Project Gutenberg

The boys will certain salivate him, asserted the guard, as the men were rising and approaching the fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• froth