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

It relies on an endoscope, a camera-tipped flexible device that is carefully guided through the large intestine.

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There are snakes that shrink their intestines and rebuild their hearts, frogs that freeze and fungi that harness radiation.

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While the human body contains roughly 30 to 40 trillion human cells, the intestines alone harbor about 100 trillion bacterial cells.

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A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand swallowed up to 100 high-power magnets he bought on Temu, forcing surgeons to remove tissue from his intestines, doctors said on Friday.

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A new study from MIT suggests that eating foods rich in the amino acid cysteine could help the small intestine renew and repair itself.

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Related Words

• entrails