auscultation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun listening to sounds within the body (usually with a stethoscope)

WordNet

Aus`cul*ta"tion noun
Etymology
L. ausculcatio, fr. auscultare to listen, fr. a dim. of auris, orig. ausis, ear. See Auricle, and cf. Scout, n.
Definitions
  1. The act of listening or hearkening to. Hickes.
  2. (Med.) An examination by listening either directly with the ear (immediate auscultation) applied to parts of the body, as the abdomen; or with the stethoscope (mediate ~), in order to distinguish sounds recognized as a sign of health or of disease.

Webster 1913