deglutition
|de-glu-ti-tion|
/ˌdiːɡluːˈtɪʃən/
act of swallowing
Etymology
'deglutition' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'deglutire', where 'de-' meant 'down' and 'glutire' meant 'to gulp or swallow.'
'deglutition' changed from Late Latin 'deglutitio' (a noun formed from 'deglutire') and was used in New/Scientific Latin before being adopted into English as 'deglutition'.
Initially, it meant 'the act of swallowing' in Latin medical usage, and over time it has retained and specialized into the modern medical/technical sense 'the action or process of swallowing.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the action or process of swallowing; the passage of food or liquid from the mouth through the pharynx and esophagus into the stomach.
Deglutition is an essential reflex for safe eating and drinking.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/03 20:28