gizzard
[ giz-erd ]
/ ˈgɪz ərd /
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noun Zoology.
Also called ventriculus. a thick-walled, muscular pouch in the lower stomach of many birds and reptiles that grinds food, often with the aid of ingested stones or grit.
Also called gastric mill. a similar structure in the foregut of arthropods and several other invertebrates, often lined with chitin and small teeth.
the innards or viscera collectively, especially the intestine and stomach.
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Origin of gizzard
1325–75; Middle English giser<Old French giser, gezier (French gésier) <Vulgar Latin *gigerium; compare Latin gigeria, gizeria giblets, perhaps ultimately <Iranian; compare Persian jigar liver
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use gizzard in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for gizzard
gizzard
/ (ˈɡɪzəd) /
noun
the thick-walled part of a bird's stomach, in which hard food is broken up by muscular action and contact with grit and small stones
a similar structure in many invertebrates
informal the stomach and entrails generally
Word Origin for gizzard
C14: from Old North French guisier fowl's liver, alteration of Latin gigēria entrails of poultry when cooked, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for gizzard
gizzard
[ gĭz′ərd ]
A muscular pouch behind the stomach in birds. It has a thick lining and often contains swallowed sand or grit, which helps in the mechanical breakdown of food.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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