intestine
pronunciation
How to pronounce intestine in British English:
UK [ɪnˈtestɪn]
How to pronounce intestine in American English:
US [ɪnˈtestɪn]
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- Noun:
- the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
Word Origin
- intestine (n.)
- early 15c., from Middle French intestin (14c.) or directly from Latin intestinum "a gut," in plural, "intestines, bowels," noun use of neuter of adjective intestinus âinward, internalâ (see intestines). Distinction of large and small intestines in Middle English was made under the terms gross and subtle. The word also was used as an adjective in English from 1530s with a sense of âinternal, domestic, civil.â
Example
- 1. Like fibre , calcium binds with fat molecules and helps flush them out through the intestine .
- 2. Fat , in , say , a marbled steak , slows the passage of food through the intestine , but only to a small extent .
- 3. With no incision in the abdomen , you also eliminate the risk of hernias , which occur when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal muscle .
- 4. One theory is that at certain times of day , intestinal bacteria may be more or less active at breaking down food into molecules to be absorbed by the intestine .
- 5. This receptor was previously thought to be a simple nutrient transporter , despite being found in even the furthermost reaches of the intestine , where most nutrients would already have been absorbed .