digestive

American  

[dih-jes-tiv, dahy-] / dɪˈdʒɛs tɪv, daɪ- /

adjective

1. serving for or pertaining to digestion; having the function of digesting food.

   the digestive tract.

2. promoting digestion.

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noun

1. a substance promoting digestion.

digestive British  

/ dɪˈdʒɛstɪv, daɪˈdʒɛstənt, daɪ- /

adjective

1. relating to, aiding, or subjecting to digestion

   a digestive enzyme

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noun

1. a less common word for digestant

2. short for digestive biscuit

Other Word Forms

• digestively adverb
• nondigestive adjective
• postdigestive adjective

Etymology

Origin of digestive

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French digestif < Latin dīgestīvus, equivalent to dīgest ( us ) ( digest ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Researchers have discovered a way to coax the bacteria living in animals' digestive systems into acting like miniature factories that produce compounds linked to longer life.

From Science Daily

Eight French families, who said their babies suffered severe digestive problems after drinking formula named in the recall, have joined the lawsuit.

From Barron's

Studies have linked excessive sodium phosphate intake to kidney strain and cardiovascular risks, and carrageenan to digestive inflammation and gut irritation.

From Los Angeles Times

IBD includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and is marked by long-lasting inflammation in the digestive tract.

From Science Daily

While this effect is often treated as a localized problem, the consequences extend beyond the digestive tract.

From Science Daily