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

Toilets crawling with rats, maggots and flies became so noxious that neighbors began defecating on the surrounding dirt roads.

From Salon

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Nearby, at Rage Ground, where people pay to vent their anger by breaking dishes and smashing cars, at least one homeless man has defecated and urinated outside the business.

From Los Angeles Times

There are some surprisingly human-like hygiene habits: One note describes a chimpanzee using leaves to wipe itself after defecating.

From BBC

Related Words

• discharge
• secrete