orifice

American  

[awr-uh-fis, or-] / ˈɔr ə fɪs, ˈɒr- /

noun

1. an opening or aperture, as of a tube or pipe; a mouthlike opening or hole; mouth; vent.

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orifice British  

/ ˈɒrɪfɪs /

noun

1. technical_term an opening or mouth into a cavity; vent; aperture

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Other Word Forms

• orificial adjective

Etymology

Origin of orifice

1535–45; < Middle French < Late Latin ōrificium, equivalent to Latin ōr- (stem of ōs ) mouth + -i- -i- + -fic-, combining form of facere to make, do ¹ ( -fic ) + -ium noun suffix

Example Sentences

Every orifice we can see—Autumn’s mouth, eyes, ears, and nose—is emanating a reddish light.

From Literature

Surgeries included many performed in the body’s orifices to treat polyps, inflamed tonsils, hemorrhoids and fistulas.

From New York Times

The agency contends that welding debris from the manufacturing process can block an “exit orifice” for gas that is released to fill the air bag in a crash.

From Seattle Times

Gases that build up after death can be expelled through any orifice in the body, including the mouth, and may carry infectious virus, the researchers said.

From New York Times

They live in every habitat on every continent and in every orifice, organ and body part of their hosts.

From Scientific American