gutta: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “gutta” mean?
A drop, especially of a liquid, or one of a series of architectural ornaments resembling drops.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drop, especially of a liquid, or one of a series of architectural ornaments resembling drops.
In pharmacology: a drop as a unit of measurement; in zoology: a small coloured spot; in architecture: one of a series of small, droplike ornaments under a Doric triglyph; in dentistry: a root canal filling material.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. Both use it as a highly technical term.
Connotations
Conveys precision and technicality. No distinct regional connotation.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties; used only in specific professional fields.
Grammar
How to Use “gutta” in a Sentence
[Noun] as in 'a gutta of medicine'[Part of compound noun] as in 'gutta-percha'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gutta” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form.
American English
- No verb form.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial form.
American English
- No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No adjectival form.
American English
- No adjectival form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in specific fields like architecture, dentistry, pharmacology, and zoology.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Primary domain: in dentistry for 'gutta-percha' filling material; in architecture for ornamental drops.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gutta”
- Using 'gutta' instead of 'drop' in modern speech; mispronouncing as /ˈɡuːtə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word used almost exclusively in technical contexts like dentistry and architecture.
It is a latex derived from trees, used primarily in dentistry as a filling material for root canals.
No, it would sound archaic or intentionally technical. Use 'drop' instead for general communication.
The plural is 'guttae' (/ˈɡʌtiː/), reflecting its Latin origin, especially in technical writing.
A drop, especially of a liquid, or one of a series of architectural ornaments resembling drops.
Gutta is usually formal, technical in register.
Gutta: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌtə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms in modern English.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GUTTA' as a GUTsy drop of something that sounds scientific. It 'GUTs' the familiar word 'gutter' in half.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS A SINGLE DROP (in its medical measurement sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'gutta' most commonly encountered today?