v. /as"peuh rayt'/ ; n., adj., /as"peuhr it/ , v. , aspirated, aspirating , n. , adj.
v.t.
1. Phonet.
a. to articulate (a speech sound, esp. a stop) so as to produce an audible puff of breath, as with the first t of total, the second t being unaspirated.
b. to articulate (the beginning of a word or syllable) with an h -sound, as in which, pronounced /hwich/ , or hitch as opposed to witch or itch.
2. Med.
a. to remove (a fluid) from a body cavity by use of an aspirator or suction syringe.
b. to inhale (fluid or a foreign body) into the bronchi and lungs, often after vomiting.
3. to draw or remove by suction.
n.
4. Phonet. a speech sound having as an obvious concomitant an audible puff of breath, as initial stop consonants or initial h -sounds.
5. Med. the substance or contents that have been aspirated.
adj.
6. Phonet. (of a speech sound) pronounced with or accompanied by aspiration; aspirated.
[ 1660-70; aspiratus breathed upon (ptp. of aspirare ). See ASPIRE, -ATE 1 ]