Main Entry: peri·stal·sis

Pronunciation: \ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs, -ˈstäl-, -ˈstal-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural peri·stal·ses \-ˌsēz\

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek peristaltikos peristaltic

Date: 1859

: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward