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Definition of: saliva
(sə·lī′və) noun Physiol.
The slightly alkaline fluid secreted by the glands of the mouth; spittle. It contains a specific amylase called ptyalin, which converts starch into maltose and is therefore considered a promoter of digestion. [<L]
—sal·i·var·y (sal′ə·ver′ē) adjective
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