masticatory
English
Etymology
From the participle stem of Latin masticare.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmastɪkət(ə)ɹi/
Noun
masticatory (plural masticatories)
- (chiefly medicine) Something chewed, originally as a medicine, now typically for pleasure or to increase the flow of saliva.
- 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, partition II, section 5, member 1, subsection iv:
- Sneezing, masticatories, and nasals are generally received.
-
Adjective
masticatory (not comparable)
- Of, or relating to mastication.
- Used for chewing.