Sa-lī'vā, n.

n. [Lat., It., Sp., Pg., & Pr. salīva, Fr. salive, allied to Gr. σίαλον.] The transparent, alkaline liquid secreted by the parotid, sub-maxillary, and sub-lingual glands; spittle.

☞ The parotid saliva is limpid, and serves to moisten the food during mastication; that of the sub-maxillary and sub-lingual is viscid, and serves for deglutition and gustation.