Text: aspirate SYLLABICATION: as·pi·rate PRONUNCIATION: sp-rt TRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: as·pi·rat·ed, as·pi·rat·ing, as·pi·rates 1. Linguistics a. To pronounce (a vowel or word) with the initial release of breath associated with English h, as in hurry. b. To follow (a consonant, especially a stop consonant) with a puff of breath that is clearly audible before the next sound begins, as in English pit or kit. 2. To draw (something) into the lungs; inhale. 3. Medicine To remove (liquids or gases) by means of a suction device. NOUN: (-pr-t)1. Linguistics a. The speech sound represented by English h. b. The puff of air accompanying the release of a stop consonant. c. A speech sound followed by a puff of breath. 2. Medicine Matter removed by aspiration. ETYMOLOGY: Latin asprre, asprt-, to breathe on : ad-, ad- + sprre, to breathe. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

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