intestine

[in-tes-tin]

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.

3. 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.

intestine

/ ɪnˈtɛstɪn, ˌɪntɛsˈtaɪnəl, ɪnˈtɛstɪnəl /

noun

1. (usually plural) the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus See large intestine small intestine

intestine

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.

2. See also large intestine small intestine

Other Word Forms

• intestinally adverb
• intestinal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intestine¹

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; vespertine

Word History and Origins

Origin of intestine¹

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

Example Sentences

The rod-shaped bacterium is found in the intestines of humans and animals, and you might be more familiar with it as an unpleasant bug that can make us ill.

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The vet that Alan took Smokey to initially found nothing abnormal, but when his condition deteriorated, scans revealed a blockage in his intestines.

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Also, since the foetuses were attached to organs like the liver, kidneys and the intestines, they had to be extracted with great care so that no organs or blood vessels were damaged.

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A tradition had developed where the singer would catapult pieces of raw meat and animal parts - including intestines and liver - into the audience.

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She was rushed back to the Royal Sussex where they discovered the joint between the two intestines had torn, and "for 10 days it had been filling up my abdomen with bowel matter."

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Related Words

• entrails