verb
salivate
SAL-ih-vayt/ˈsælɪveɪt/
To secrete saliva in the mouth.
The dog salivates while anticipating the food in its bowl.
Etymology
The Latin verb refers to producing saliva; early English use emphasized an unusually abundant flow. The later figurative sense extends this bodily response to eager anticipation.
In context
if you pair the ringing of a bell with a presentation of food enough times, the dog will salivate in response to the food
More examples
- Dogs often salivate when they see food.
- Some medications cause people to salivate more than usual.
- I started salivating as soon as I tasted the sour candy.
Forms
salivate · salivates · salivated · salivating
salivation noun — The production of saliva in the mouth.
salivary adjective — Relating to saliva or its production.