Definition of "aspirate" in English

noun

1. (linguistics) The puff of air accompanying the release of a plosive or fricative consonant.

2. (linguistics) A sound produced by such a puff of air.

3. A mark of aspiration (ʽ) used in Greek; the asper, or rough breathing.

   • a. 1742, Richard Bentley, letter to Dr. Mead But we must correct then twenty authors who have it in the compound ἀπηθεῖν and ἀπήθημα ; and not (as the aspirate would require it) ἀφηθεῖν and αφήθημα

4. A sample of fluid, tissue, or other substance that is withdrawn via aspiration (usually through a hollow needle) from a body cavity, cyst, or tumor.

verb

1. (transitive) To remove a liquid or gas by means of suction.

2. (transitive) To inhale something other than air into one's lungs.

3. (intransitive) To suffocate, having inhaled something other than air.

   • The autopsy found that the casualty had aspirated in her sleep.

4. (ambitransitive, linguistics) To produce an audible puff of breath, especially following a consonant, such as the letter "h" at the beginning of house or hat in standard English.

adjective

1. Synonym of aspirated.