sternutation

[ stur-nyuh-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of sneezing.

sternutation

/ ˌstɜːnjʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a sneeze or the act of sneezing

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternutation¹

1535–45; < Latin sternūtātiōn- (stem of sternūtātiō ), equivalent to sternūtāt ( us ) (past participle of sternūtāre, frequentative of sternuere to sneeze) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternutation¹

C16: from Late Latin sternūtāre to sneeze, from sternuere to sputter (of a light)

Example Sentences

The official medical term for sneezing is “sternutation,” which sounds like “stern,” which is maybe something we should be with them a little more.

From Washington Post

But more sophisticated observers had already recognised that this was not a sternutation, but the dab, a dance craze that has long since slipped its faddish origins to become a dance staple.

From The Guardian

He has a good online following, eager to hear about his latest sternutation, and says he will continue for the rest of his life.

From BBC

His sneeze count, currently just over 4,000, has a healthy online following as people log in to read about his latest sternutation.

From BBC

The dons from high table looked coldly down the hall, expressing a vague, but seemingly impotent disapproval, for immediately afterward that sternutation shook the air a second time.

From Project Gutenberg