mucous

[myoo-kuh s] /ˈmyu kəs/

adjective

pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling mucus.

containing or secreting mucus.

Origin

1640-50; < Latin mūcōsus slimy, mucous, equivalent to mūc(us) snot (see mucus) + -ōsus -ous

Related forms

mucosity

[myoo-kos-i-tee] /myuˈkɒs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun

nonmucous, adjective

submucous, adjective

Can be confused

mucous, mucus.

Examples from the web for mucous

It damage your mucous membrane of your nose and stay away from opium too.
Together they provide a framework for the vocal folds, flaps of mucous membrane attached to muscles either side of the larynx.
Rather these bacteria are so common that many of us harbor them in our noses and other mucous membranes.
Finally, barracuda also cut down on their drag with a slime they secrete from mucous cells.
But even as the germ-laden mucous particles cruise through the air, they do respond to gravity, eventually settling on surfaces.
The mucous coat forms part of the genito-urinary mucous membrane.
The contiguous surfaces of the tendon and ring are lined by a delicate mucous sheath, and enclosed in a thin fibrous investment.
The cells in the mucous alveoli are columnar in shape.
The arrangement of the vessels in the mucous membrane is somewhat peculiar.
Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.

British Dictionary definitions for mucous

/ˈmjuːkəs/

adjective

of, resembling, or secreting mucus

Derived Forms

mucosity (mjuːˈkɒsɪtɪ) noun

Usage note

The noun mucus is often misspelled mucous. Mucous can only be correctly used as an adjective

Word Origin

C17: from Latin mūcōsus slimy, from mucus

Word Origin and History for mucous

adj.

1640s (replacing mucilaginous), from Latin mucosus "slimy, mucous," from mucus (see mucus). Related: mucosity.

mucous in Medicine

mucous mu·cous (myōō'kəs)
adj.