Main Entry:

sphinc·ter

Pronunciation:

\ˈsfiŋ(k)-tər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Late Latin, from Greek sphinktēr, literally, band, from sphingein to bind tight

Date:

1578

: an annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening

— sphinc·ter·ic \sfiŋ(k)-ˈter-ik\ adjective