n. [ L.; cf. Gr. &unr_;. ] (Physiol.) The secretion from the salivary glands. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In man the saliva is a more or less turbid and slighty viscid fluid, generally of an alkaline reaction, and is secreted by the parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual glands. In the mouth the saliva is mixed with the secretion from the buccal glands. The secretions from the individual salivary glands have their own special characteristics, and these are not the same in all animals. In man and many animals mixed saliva, i.e., saliva composed of the secretions of all three of the salivary glands, is an important digestive fluid on account of the presence of the peculiar enzyme, ptyalin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Salivary. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. salivans, p. pr. of salivare. See Salivate. ] Producing salivation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which produces salivation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. salivarius slimy, clammy: cf. F. salivaire. ] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to saliva; producing or carrying saliva; as, the salivary ferment; the salivary glands; the salivary ducts, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Salivated p. pr. & vb. n. Salivating. ] [ L. salivatus, p. p. of salivare to salivate. See Saliva. ] To produce an abnormal flow of saliva in; to produce salivation or ptyalism in, as by the use of mercury. [ 1913 Webster ]

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n. [ L. salivatio: cf. F. salivation. ] (Physiol.) The act or process of salivating; an excessive secretion of saliva, often accompanied with soreness of the mouth and gums; ptyalism. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It may be induced by direct chemical or mechanical stimulation, as in mastication of some tasteless substance like rubber, or indirectly by some agent which affects the whole system, as mercury compounds. [ 1913 Webster ]