sternutatory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareMedical/Scientific/Technical
Quick answer
What does “sternutatory” mean?
A substance that causes sneezing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A substance that causes sneezing.
Anything that induces sternutation (sneezing). Also used as an adjective to describe such a substance or agent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; used identically in highly technical contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical and clinical. No informal usage exists.
Frequency
Equally rare in both variants.
Grammar
How to Use “sternutatory” in a Sentence
[sternutatory] agent[sternutatory] properties of [substance]act as a [sternutatory]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sternutatory” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form exists.]
American English
- [No standard verb form exists.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form exists.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form exists.]
adjective
British English
- The pepper's sternutatory effect was immediate.
- They studied the plant's sternutatory compounds.
American English
- The chemical was identified as a sternutatory agent.
- Historical texts describe sternutatory powders.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or pharmacological research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in toxicology, chemical weaponry contexts, and some medical literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sternutatory”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sternutatory”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sternutatory”
- Mispronouncing as 'stern-u-ta-tory' (missing the 'nju' sound).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'irritating'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare technical term.
Yes, but it is rare. It is more commonly used as an adjective (e.g., sternutatory agent).
'Sternutatory' is primarily an adjective (and a rare noun). 'Sternutator' is exclusively a noun for the agent or substance itself. They are often used interchangeably in technical contexts.
Almost certainly not. A doctor would say 'something that makes you sneeze' or use a more common term like 'nasal irritant'.
A substance that causes sneezing.
Sternutatory is usually medical/scientific/technical in register.
Sternutatory: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɜː.njʊˈteɪ.tər.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɜːr.njʊˈtæ.tɔːr.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None. Word is purely technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: STERN (serious) + NEW + TORY (story). A serious new story about a substance that makes you sneeze.
Conceptual Metaphor
A chemical messenger that 'shouts' at the nasal passages.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'sternutatory' MOST likely to be found?