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

Two unbeaten champions with differing but equally effective styles produced a match-up of the highest level in a fight to make the boxing purist salivate.

From BBC

The thought of relaxing at the firepit in an Adirondack chair with an ice-cold glass of rosé made me salivate, the way my dog does when I pull the lid off the treat jar.

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever lab personnel approached her, she would scream, froth, salivate, urinate, defecate, roll back her eyes, and throw herself against all four sides of her confinement.

From Salon

Nicholson was 6-foot-3, with long legs and an absurd wingspan — the sort of size at cornerback that coaches salivate over.

From Los Angeles Times

Sportsbooks salivate at the thought of gaining access to California’s 39 million residents, but the industry’s efforts thus far have failed.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• froth