Etymograph

English

saliva

Saliva comes from Latin salīva ‘spittle’.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEsalīva‘spittle’
  2. Englishtodaysaliva

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEsalīva‘spittle’
  2. Englishtodaysaliva

The story

A learned borrowing from Latin salīva (‘spittle’), replacing or merging with Middle English salive, salve (‘saliva’), from the same Latin source.

Every English word from Latin salīva

Today it means

noun A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Latin salīva / saliva

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