peristaltic

[ per-uh-stawl-tik, -stal- ]

adjective

, Physiology.

1. of, relating to, or resembling peristalsis.

Other Words From

• peri·stalti·cal·ly adverb
• hyper·peri·staltic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peristaltic¹

1645–55; < Greek peristaltikós compressing, equivalent to peri- peri- + stal- ( peristalsis ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

We have seen how great a part unpleasant emotions play in preventing peristaltic movements of the food tube.

From Project Gutenberg

Antiperistaltic, an-ti-per-i-stal′tik, adj. contrary to peristaltic motion: acting upwards.

From Project Gutenberg

The only effect I perceived from its use was a slight increase of peristaltic action.

From Project Gutenberg

The peristaltic motion observed in the females of some insects during oviposition has been before described.

From Project Gutenberg

The circulation is effected, not by means of a heart, but by wave-like (peristaltic) contractions of the dorsal blood-vessel.

From Project Gutenberg