Bowel
/ˈbaʊ.əl/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A part or division of the intestines, usually the large intestine.
- 2 the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus wordnet
- 3 The entrails or intestines; the internal organs of the stomach. in-plural
"And when he was hanged, brast asondre in the myddes, and all his bowels gusshed out."
- 4 The (deep) interior of something. figuratively, in-plural
"The treasures were stored in the bowels of the ship."
- 5 The seat of pity or the gentler emotions; pity or mercy. archaic, in-plural
"Thou thing of no bowels, thou!"
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- 6 offspring in-plural, obsolete
"Friend hast thou none, / For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire,"
Verb
- 1 To disembowel. archaic
"Their bodies are first bowelled, then dried upon hurdles till they be very dry [...]."
Example
More examples"I have not had a bowel movement for a week."
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French bouel, from Old French boïel, from Latin botellus, diminutive of botulus (“sausage”). Doublet of boyau.