defecate

[def-i-keyt]

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.

verb (used with object)

defecated, defecating 

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

defecate

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

• defecation noun
• defecator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defecate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of defecate¹

C16: from Latin dēfaecāre to cleanse from dregs, from _de- + faex sediment, dregs

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.

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“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.

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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.

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

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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.

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Related Words

• discharge 
• secrete