intestine

American  

[in-tes-tin] / ɪnˈtɛs tɪn /

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.

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adjective

1. internal; domestic; civil.

   intestine strife.

intestine British  

/ ɪnˈtɛstɪn, ˌɪntɛsˈtaɪnəl, ɪnˈtɛstɪnəl /

noun

1. (usually plural) the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus See large intestine small intestine

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intestine Scientific  

/ ĭn-tĕs′tĭn /

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

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Other Word Forms

• intestinal adjective
• intestinally adverb

Etymology

Origin of intestine

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

Example Sentences

The San Francisco Chronicle’s architecture critic said it resembled something “deposited by a concrete dog with square intestines.”

From The Wall Street Journal

One possible reason is damage to the intestinal epithelium, a thin, single layer of cells that lines the intestine.

From Science Daily

As well as needing help to breathe, he was found to have a life-threatening illness affecting his intestines.

From BBC

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 drug, which works by mimicking a gut hormone to reduce appetite, make people feel full sooner when eating and slow the rate of food leaving the stomach for the intestine.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, the zebrafish experiments showed that glucose levels in the intestine can become high enough after eating to activate this pathway even under normal conditions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• entrails