Etymology Map
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Saliva

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means spit

Where does the word "saliva" come from? It comes from Latin saliva, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
saliva
Latin · ancient
"spit"
possibly related to 'sal', salt
2
Stage 2 of 2
saliva
English · 1400s
"spit"
'salivate' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Saliva’s story begins in Latin: saliva meant “spit.” Possibly related to 'sal', salt. It reached English by 1400s as saliva. 'salivate' dates from the 1600s. Today, saliva means spit.