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salivary
adjective
sal·i·vary
ˈsa-lə-ˌver-ē
: of or relating to saliva or the glands that secrete it
especially
: producing or carrying saliva
Examples of salivary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
New research indicates that early duplications of the salivary amylase gene (AMY1) may have started more than 800,000 years ago, long before humans began to farm.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Oct. 2024
With genetic analysis, the team found that about 12,000 years ago, humans across Europe had an average of four copies of the salivary amylase gene.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Sep. 2024
In a study that pitted gum chewers against non-chewers, measuring and comparing their alertness, stress and anxiety levels, the findings revealed that as well as improved focus, the chewers had lower levels of salivary cortisol levels compared to non-chewers.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2023
Her friend Diana Byer, the founder and former artistic director of New York Theater Ballet, said the cause was salivary cancer.
—Claudia Bauer, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1709, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing salivary
Dictionary Entries Near salivary
Cite this Entry
“Salivary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salivary. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
salivary
adjective
sal·i·vary
ˈsal-ə-ˌver-ē
: of or relating to saliva or the salivary glands
Medical Definition
salivary
adjective
sal·i·vary
ˈsal-ə-ˌver-ē
: of or relating to saliva or the glands that secrete it
especially
: producing or carrying saliva
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