pītŭīta (sometimes in the poets scan. as a trisyl., Hor. S. 2, 2, 76; id. Ep. 1, 1, 108; Pers. 2, 57; cf. Santen on Ter. Maur. p. 430), ae, f. [root pitu- for sputu-, from spu- of spuo, sputum; cf. Gr. πτύω, to spit], slime, clammy moisture.
I In the body, as diseased matter, phlegm , rheum , pituite; in fowls, the pip : cum sanguis corruptus est aut pituita redundat, Cic. Tusc. 4, 10, 23: capitis, Plin. 25, 11, 90, § 141: oris, id. 23, 1, 13, § 17: tantum bilis pituitaeque, Cato R. R. 156, 4: adversus acutas pituitae fluxiones, quas Graeci rheumatismos vocant, Plin. 22, 25, 68, § 138: mala pituita nasi, Cat. 23, 17: stomacho tumultum Lenta feret pituita, Hor. S. 2, 2, 76: praecipue sanus, nisi cum pituita molesta est, id. Ep. 1, 1, 108; Sen. Q. N. 6, 2, 4.—Of the pip , Col. 8, 5, 22; Plin. 10, 57, 78, § 157; Pall. 1, 27.—
II A viscous , gummy moisture that exudes from trees , Plin. 17, 27, 43, § 252: fungorum origo non nisi ex pituitā arborum, id. 22, 23, 47, § 96.