masticatory

English

Etymology

From the participle stem of Latin masticare.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmastɪkət(ə)ɹi/

Noun

masticatory (plural masticatories)

  1. (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)

  1. Of, or relating to mastication.
  2. Used for chewing.
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