sputum

Plural: sputa, sputums

Noun

Saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract.
expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness
Matter coughed up and expectorated from the mouth, composed of saliva and discharges from the respiratory passages such as mucus, phlegm or pus.

Examples

The doctor asked for a sputum sample to help diagnose the illness.

Origin / Etymology

From New Latin, from Latin sputum (“that which is spit out, spittle”), from spuere (“to spit”).

Synonyms

phlegm

Scrabble Score: 10

sputum: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
sputum: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
sputum: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

sputum: valid Words With Friends Word