also: かたづ
saliva held in the mouth from tension
Almost exclusively used in the set phrase 固唾を飲む (to hold one's breath, to watch with bated breath). The word itself is rarely used outside this expression.
See also: 固唾を呑む
観客は固唾を飲んで試合の行方を見守った。
The audience watched the game with bated breath.
彼の発表の間、会場は固唾を飲むような静けさだった。
During his presentation, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading かたず is more common than かたづ.
Alternate reading; かたず is preferred in modern usage.
Compound of 固 (hard, stiff) and 唾 (saliva). The image is of saliva that becomes thick or hard to swallow due to nervous tension.