MUCUS
Dictionary entry overview: What does mucus mean?
• MUCUS (noun)
The noun MUCUS has 1 sense:
1. protective secretion of the mucous membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium
Familiarity information: MUCUS used as a noun is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
• MUCUS (noun)
Meaning:
Protective secretion of the mucous membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium
Classified under:
Nouns denoting body parts
Synonyms:
mucous secretion; mucus
Hypernyms ("mucus" is a kind of...):
secretion (a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell)
Meronyms (substance of "mucus"):
mucin (a nitrogenous substance found in mucous secretions; a lubricant that protects body surfaces)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mucus"):
phlegm; sputum (expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness)
snot (nasal mucus)
booger (dried nasal mucus)
leucorrhea; leukorrhea (discharge of white mucous material from the vagina; often an indication of infection)
