rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysublingualUnder the tongue
adjective

sublingual

sub-LING-gwuhl/ˌsʌbˈlɪŋɡwəl/

Located or administered under the tongue.

She places the sublingual tablet under her tongue to dissolve.

Close respectful view into an adult open mouth with the tongue gently lifted toward the roof, exposing its underside and the floor of the mouth.
Etymology
subLatinunder, beneath
+linguLatintongue
+alLatinpertaining to

The pieces specify a position beneath the tongue. In medical use, the same spatial meaning describes either something located there or medicine administered there.

In context

SnackSafely.com0:19
one of those Innovations is sublingual epinephrine that's emergency epinephrine that you pull out of the packet place under your tongue
All About Sublingual Epinephrine — A Conversation with Dan Barber of Aquestive Therapeutics

More examples

  • The sublingual glands produce saliva beneath the tongue.
  • The pharmacist explains how to use the sublingual spray.
  • This medicine comes in a sublingual form rather than a pill you swallow.

Forms

sublingual

sublingually adverb — Under the tongue, especially when administering medicine.

Similar words

oral
Refers broadly to the mouth, not specifically beneath the tongue.