Micturate
Even if you don’t know what this word means, you’ve
definitely done it. Here’s a hint: The term comes from the
Latin word mingere, meaning “to make water.” Basically, it’s
a dressed-up way to say urinate. In mammals, this process
occurs when the kidneys get rid of waste products by
expelling them as liquid through the urethra (though some
animals, like dogs, also use urine to mark territory or show
submission). Humans have even found uses for this liquid
waste over the years. Perhaps the most famous example is
NASA astronauts treating and filtering it to create drinking
water in space. Cheers! — LACY SCHLEY; ILLUSTRATION BY CHAD EDWARDS
THAT WORD YOU HEARD
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
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DISCOVER 15