defecate

American  

[def-i-keyt] / ˈdɛf ɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used without object)

defecated, defecating

1. to void excrement from the bowels through the anus; have a bowel movement.

2. to become clear of dregs, impurities, etc.

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verb (used with object)

defecated, defecating

1. to clear of dregs, impurities, etc.; purify; refine.

defecate British  

/ ˈdɛfɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to discharge waste from the body through the anus

2. (tr) to clarify or remove impurities from (a solution, esp of sugar)

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Other Word Forms

• defecation noun
• defecator noun

Etymology

Origin of defecate

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin dēfaecātus (past participle of dēfaecāre “to cleanse, refine”), equivalent to dē- de- + faec- (stem of faex “dregs, sediment”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Consider, then, taking in a mammal that can fell a tree, chew through wire, weighs 30 to 60 pounds full-grown, loves to wrestle, needs to swim and can only defecate in water.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You’re going to call a social worker because you have a guy who took his pants down and started defecating in front of school?” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not their healthcare, not their ability to pay the bills, not their worry that a country they love is turning in to one where their leader literally illustrates that he can defecate on them.

From Los Angeles Times

Over time, he said, they stamped ponds and urinated and defecated in the water.

From Los Angeles Times

At least one of Mwesigwa's clients regularly asked to defecate on the women, according to "Mia", whose name we have changed to protect her identity, and who said she was trapped by Mwesigwa's network.

From BBC

Related Words

• discharge
• secrete