kidney
[kid-nee]
- Anatomy. either of a pair of bean-shaped organs in the back part of the abdominal cavity that form and excrete urine, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, and act as endocrine glands.
- Zoology. a corresponding organ in other vertebrate animals or an organ of like function in invertebrates.
- the meat of an animal's kidney used as food.
- constitution or temperament: He was a quiet child, of a different kidney from his boisterous brothers.
- kind, sort, or class: He is only at ease with men of his own kidney.
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Origin of kidney
1275–1325; Middle English kidenei, kidenere (singular), kideneres, kideneren (plural); origin uncertain; perhaps a compound based either on nere (singular), neres (plural) kidney (Old English *nēore; compare Old High German nioro, Old Norse nȳra); or ei (singular), eiren (plural) egg1, Old English ǣg (singular), ǣgru (plural) (by association with the organ's shape); for the first element compare dial. kid pod (akin to cod2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for kidneys
Contemporary Examples
He became delirious, his heartbeat grew ragged, his blood teemed with the virus, and his lungs, liver and kidneys began to fail.
Her father, her mother said on the phone, had fallen into a coma after his kidneys failed in response to a sulfa drug.
Knocking on Heaven's Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of DeathPatricia Pearson
August 11, 2014
She endured multiple surgeries; doctors removed one of her kidneys and other vital organs.
19 of Us Were Shot on Mother’s Day, But New Orleans Dropped the Attempted Murder ChargesMark Hertsgaard
May 9, 2014
The same toxin that causes this “pseudomembrane” to form can also damage organs like the heart and kidneys.
PCBs have been shown to have chronically toxic effects on the thyroid, stomach, liver, kidneys, and immune system.
Historical Examples
Wipe the kidneys and slice them, put them in a stewpan with the stock and mushrooms.
The Skilful CookMary Harrison
Lay the latter on the dish, place the rumps round upon the rice, the narrow ends towards the middle, and the kidneys between.
Take the kidneys out of the gravy, and cut them into six slices.
Nelson's Home ComfortsMary Hooper
I have seen the fat from the kidneys in my water many years ago.
Erasmus and the Age of ReformationJohan Huizinga
Hexanephric: with six kidneys, or structures serving as such.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
kidney
- either of two bean-shaped organs at the back of the abdominal cavity in man, one on each side of the spinal column. They maintain water and electrolyte balance and filter waste products from the blood, which are excreted as urineRelated adjectives: nephritic, renal
- the corresponding organ in other animals
- the kidneys of certain animals used as food
- class, type, or disposition (esp in the phrases of the same or a different kidney)
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Word Origin
C14: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for kidneys
kidney
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
kidney
(kĭd′nē)- Either of a pair of organs in the dorsal region of the vertebrate abdominal cavity, functioning to maintain proper water and electrolyte balance, regulate acid-base concentration, and filter the blood of metabolic wastes, which are then excreted as urine.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
kidney
[kĭd′nē]
- Either of a pair of organs that are located in the rear of the abdominal cavity in vertebrates. The kidneys regulate fluid balance in the body and filter out wastes from the blood in the form of urine. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. Wastes filtered from the blood by the nephrons drain into the ureters, muscular tubes that connect each kidney to the bladder. See also nephron.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
kidneys
A pair of organs, the principal parts of the excretory system, located above the waistline at the back of the abdominal cavity. The kidneys filter waste materials from the blood, excreting these wastes in the form of urine; they also regulate the amounts of water and other chemicals in body fluids.
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.