v. Also 7 -at. [f. L. expectorāt- ppl. stem of expectorāre, f. ex- (see EX- pref.1) + pector-, pectus the breast; in class. L. only in sense 3. Cf. Fr. expectorer.]
† 1. trans. Of a drug or its action: To clear, drive out (phlegm, etc.) from the chest or lungs.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXIV. xvi. (1634), 200. As well the one as the other, doth expectorat the fleam gathered in the chest.
1656. Culpepper, Eng. Physic. Enlarged, 80. The Decoction of the Herb [crosswort] in Wine, helpeth to expectorate flegm out of the Chest.
1678. Salmon, Lond. Dispens., 769/1. Green Oyntment … is given … to … expectorate flegm.
absol. 1710. T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 121. It [the Electuary] … powerfully expectorates.
2. To eject, discharge (phlegm, etc.) from the chest or lungs by coughing, hawking or spitting.
1666. G. Harvey, Morb. Angl. (1672), vii. 68. Excrementious humours, such as are expectorated by a Cough after a Cold.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 334. Morbifick Matter … is … expectorated by Coughing.
1846. G. E. Day, trans. Simon’s Anim. Chem., II. 71. Thick clots of mucus are expectorated in the morning.
1861. F. H. Ramadge, Curab. Consumption, 30. He expectorated blood.
1877. Roberts, Handbk. Med. (ed. 3), I. 360. Laryngeal tissues may be expectorated.
fig. 1782. V. Knox, Ess., vi. All the venom which a virulent party could expectorate upon them.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 67. Teufelsdröckh had not already expectorated his antipedagogic spleen.
b. absol.; often = to spit.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, I. ii. 12–3. The men [at Cambridge] … expectorated on the floor.
1882. Quain, Dict. Med., s.v. Expectoration, By teaching the patient ‘how to expectorate’ life may be prolonged.
3. † a. To expel from the ‘breast’ or mind (obs.). b. refl. and intr. for refl. To ease or relieve one’s mind.
1621. S. Ward, Life of Faith (ed. 2), vii. Hath it [faith] not soueraigne vertue in it to … expectorate all feares?
1656. Trapp, Comm. Matt. xxiii. 17. 288. But the dust of covetousness had put out the eyes of these buzzards, and expectorated their understandings.
1667. Waterhouse, Fire Lond., 185. I could enlarge in this Subject which is so pleasing to me, to expectorate my self by.
1754. H. Walpole, Corr. (1837), I. 246. Sir George came … to expectorate with me as he called it.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XVIII. vii. Friedrich … took to verses, by way of expectorating himself.
Hence Expectorated ppl. a. Expectorating vbl. sb. Expectorating ppl. a. = EXPECTORANT a.
1656. Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 212. Give expectorating means.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 266. Substances expectorating. Such as cleanse and open.
1783. S. Charman, in Med. Commun., I. 285. From the expectorating mixture, he never seemed to receive any benefit.
1809. Pearson, in Phil. Trans., XCIX. 319. This expectorated substance swims on water.
1845. G. E. Day, trans. Simon’s Anim. Chem., I. 335. Dr. Chiaje … found the polystoma sanguiculum in the expectorated blood of two phthisical patients.
