mucus

[ myoo-kuhs ]

noun

1. a viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water, electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands lining the nasal, esophageal, and other body cavities and serves primarily to protect and lubricate surfaces.

mucus

/ ˈmjuːkəs /

noun

1. the slimy protective secretion of the mucous membranes, consisting mainly of mucin

mucus

/ myo̅o̅′kəs /

1. The slimy, viscous substance secreted as a protective lubricant by mucous membranes. Mucus is composed chiefly of large glycoproteins called mucins and inorganic salts suspended in water.

mucus

1. A slippery and somewhat sticky fluid secreted by the glands in mucous membranes . Mucus lubricates and protects the mucous membranes.

Usage

See mucous

Word History and Origins

Origin of mucus¹

1655–65; < Latin mūcus snot; akin to Greek myktḗr nose, mýxa slime

Word History and Origins

Origin of mucus¹

C17: from Latin: nasal secretions; compare mungere to blow the nose; related to Greek muxa mucus, muktēr nose

Example Sentences

There are other surface pleasures to enjoy in “Alien: Romulus,” including the stunningly rich cinematography by Galo Olivares and the scuffed-up and worn interiors lit with glowing reds, shiny with extraterrestrial mucus.

From Los Angeles Times

The videos have drawn attention to the "slippery mucus"-covered species, which is native to southeast Asia and considered unwanted but invasive, reports CBS, the BBC’s American news partner.

From BBC

Charlotte Bones, 31, and Steve Horwood, 35, both take Creon to help them digest food, as the condition causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system.

From BBC

In the lungs, their cilia sway back and forth to keep fluids like mucus from collecting.

From Science Daily

This mucus acts as a protective barrier, separating the inside of our body from the trillions of microbes in our gut.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• goo
• gunk
• mud
• sludge