noun , verb
■ noun
/ ˈæspərət; NAmE / ( phonetics ) the sound /h/, as in house :
The word 'hour' is pronounced without an initial aspirate.
■ verb / ˈæspəreɪt/ [ vn ]
1.
( medical ) to remove liquid from a person's body with a machine
2.
( phonetics ) to pronounce sth with an 'h' sound or with a breath
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (as an adjective): from Latin aspiratus breathed, past participle of aspirare , from ad- to + spirare breathe.