MASTICATES Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "masticates" refers to the act of chewing or grinding food with one's teeth prior to swallowing. It is a verb that denotes the mechanical action involved in breaking down solid food into smaller pieces, making it easier to digest and absorb nutrients. This process initiates the digestive process and prepares the food for further chemical breakdown within the gastrointestinal system.
When an individual masticates food, the teeth work in conjunction with the jaw muscles to reduce the size of food particles. By moving the jaw up and down, sideways, and in a rotary motion, the teeth grind and crush the food, creating a pulp-like texture. This action is essential for facilitating the intake of nutrients as smaller food pieces allow for easier mixing with saliva, which contains digestive enzymes.
Mastication plays a crucial role in the overall process of digestion, as it enhances the absorption of nutrients by increasing the surface area of food particles and breaking them down into manageable sizes. Efficient mastication is not only important for proper digestion but also contributes to a more enjoyable eating experience, as it enhances the flavor and texture of food.
Overall, the act of masticating is a fundamental process in the digestive system, enabling the breaking down of food into smaller, more manageable particles, thus promoting effective digestion and nutrient absorption.
Common Misspellings for MASTICATES
Etymology of MASTICATES
The word masticates comes from the Latin verb masticare, which means to chew. It is derived from the word masticus, meaning chewing gum or resin of the mastic tree. The Latin word itself has Greek origins, deriving from the Greek word mastichan, which also means to chew.
Similar spelling words for MASTICATES
Conjugate verb Masticates
CONDITIONAL
I
would masticate
we
would masticate
you
would masticate
he/she/it
would masticate
they
would masticate
FUTURE
I
will masticate
we
will masticate
you
will masticate
he/she/it
will masticate
they
will masticate
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have masticated
we
will have masticated
you
will have masticated
he/she/it
will have masticated
they
will have masticated
PAST
I
masticated
we
masticated
you
masticated
he/she/it
masticated
they
masticated
PAST PERFECT
I
had masticated
we
had masticated
you
had masticated
he/she/it
had masticated
they
had masticated
PRESENT
I
masticate
we
masticate
you
masticate
he/she/it
masticates
they
masticate
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have masticated
we
have masticated
you
have masticated
he/she/it
has masticated
they
have masticated
I
am masticating
we
are masticating
you
are masticating
he/she/it
is masticating
they
are masticating
I
was masticating
we
were masticating
you
were masticating
he/she/it
was masticating
they
were masticating
I
will be masticating
we
will be masticating
you
will be masticating
he/she/it
will be masticating
they
will be masticating
I
have been masticating
we
have been masticating
you
have been masticating
he/she/it
has been masticating
they
have been masticating
I
had been masticating
we
had been masticating
you
had been masticating
he/she/it
had been masticating
they
had been masticating
I
will have been masticating
we
will have been masticating
you
will have been masticating
he/she/it
will have been masticating
they
will have been masticating
I
would have masticated
we
would have masticated
you
would have masticated
he/she/it
would have masticated
they
would have masticated
I
would be masticating
we
would be masticating
you
would be masticating
he/she/it
would be masticating
they
would be masticating
I
would have been masticating
we
would have been masticating
you
would have been masticating
he/she/it
would have been masticating
they
would have been masticating
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
