intestine

[in-tes-tin] /ɪnˈtɛs tɪn/

noun

Usually, intestines. the lower part of the alimentary canal, extending from the pylorus to the anus.

Also called small intestine. the narrow, longer part of the intestines, comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, that serves to digest and absorb nutrients.

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

internal; domestic; civil:

intestine strife.

Origin

1525-35; < Latin intestīnum, noun use of neuter of intestīnus internal, equivalent to intes- (variant of intus inside) + -tīnus adj. suffix; cf. vespertine

Examples from the web for intestine

They seem to be especially active in cells in the lining of the lungs and the intestine.
The human intestine contains a network of neurons, and the gut network routinely communicates with the brain.
First, a light bowl of rice noodles, in a stock made of pork and pig intestine.
Doctors diagnosed this problem as diverticulosis, pouches forming on the intestine.
White specks floating in the stool are bits of lining from the small intestine.
Whoever came up with the idea of having the authors' names sucked down a virtual large intestine is a genius.
And some of the taste cells on the tongue are present in the intestine.
When surgery is needed, the traditional solution is to graft tissue from the patient's stomach or intestine onto the bladder.
He has already had one surgery to remove two that became lodged in his belly and intestine.
What you're feeling is a loop of intestine or something where the stool is stuck for a while.

British Dictionary definitions for intestine

intestine

/ɪnˈtɛstɪn/

noun

(usually pl) the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus See large intestine, small intestine related adjective alvine

Derived Forms

intestinal (ɪnˈtɛstɪnəl; ˌɪntɛsˈtaɪnəl) adjective
intestinally, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from Latin intestīnum gut, from intestīnus internal, from intus within

Word Origin and History for intestine

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 "inward, internal" (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 "internal, domestic, civil."

intestine in Medicine

intestine in·tes·tine (ĭn-těs'tĭn)
n.
The portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consisting of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine.

intestine in Science

intestine

(ĭn-těs'tĭn)

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. See also large intestine, small intestine.

Encyclopedia Article for intestine

tubular part of the alimentary canal that extends from the stomach to the anus. The intestine is the site of most chemical digestive processes and the place where digested food materials are either absorbed for use by the body or collected into feces for elimination. The anterior part of the intestine, which is linked to the stomach, is called the small intestine. It is followed by a shorter, wider segment called the large intestine, which terminates in the anus.

Learn more about intestine with a free trial on Britannica.com