intestine

[ in-tes-tin ]
See synonyms for: intestineintestines on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. Usually intestines. the lower part of the alimentary canal, extending from the pylorus to the anus.

  2. Also called small intestine . the narrow, longer part of the intestines, comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, that serves to digest and absorb nutrients.

  1. Also called large intestine . the broad, shorter part of the intestines, comprising the cecum, colon, and rectum, that absorbs water from and eliminates the residues of digestion.

adjective
  1. internal; domestic; civil: intestine strife.

Origin of intestine

1
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin intestīnum, noun use of neuter of intestīnus “internal,” equivalent to intes- (variant of intus “inside”) + -tīnus adjective suffix; cf. vespertine

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How to use intestine in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intestine

intestine

/ (ɪnˈtɛstɪn) /


noun
  1. (usually plural) the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus: See large intestine, small intestine Related adjective: alvine

Origin of intestine

1
C16: from Latin intestīnum gut, from intestīnus internal, from intus within

Derived forms of intestine

  • intestinal (ɪnˈtɛstɪnəl, ˌɪntɛsˈtaɪnəl), adjective
  • intestinally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for intestine

intestine

[ ĭn-tĕstĭn ]


  1. The muscular tube that forms the part of the digestive tract extending from the stomach to the anus and consisting of the small and large intestines. In the intestine, nutrients and water from digested food are absorbed and waste products are solidified into feces. See also large intestine small intestine.

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