səˈlīvə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin — more at sallow
: a viscous colorless somewhat opalescent secretion that is usually slightly alkaline in reaction, contains water, mucin, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme, is secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, and serves to lubricate ingested food and often to begin the breakdown of starches — see ptyalin