That Word You Heard: 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!