stomach

¹stom·ach

noun \ˈstə-mək, -mik\

Definition of STOMACH

1

a (1) : a dilatation of the alimentary canal of a vertebrate communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly with the duodenum (2) : one of the compartments of a ruminant stomach <the abomasum is the fourth stomach of a ruminant>

b : a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach

c : the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen

2

a : desire for food caused by hunger : appetite

b : inclination, desire <had no stomach for an argument>; also : courage, guts

3

obsolete

a : spirit, valor

b : pride

c : spleen, resentment

Examples of STOMACH

1. She has problems with her stomach.
2. I've had enough to eat. My stomach is full.
3. He was lying on his stomach.

Origin of STOMACH

Middle English stomak, from Anglo-French estomac, from Latin stomachus gullet, esophagus, stomach, from Greek stomachos, from stoma mouth; akin to Middle Breton staffn mouth, Avestan staman-

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STOMACH

Synonyms

abdomen, belly, breadbasket [slang], gut, solar plexus, tummy

Antonyms

inappetence

Related Words

middle, midriff, waist; paunch, potbelly; thorax

Near Antonyms

fill, fullness, glut, repleteness, repletion, satiation, satiety, satisfaction, surfeit

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with STOMACH

hummock

²stomach

transitive verb

Definition of STOMACH

1

archaic : to take offense at

2

: to bear without overt reaction or resentment : put up with <couldn't stomach office politics>

Examples of STOMACH

1. I could barely stomach the smell.
2. I can't stomach raw onions.

First Known Use of STOMACH

1523

Related to STOMACH

Synonyms

abide, absorb, accept, bide [chiefly dialect], brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, bear, support, sustain, sweat out, take, tolerate, wear [British]

Related Words

allow, permit, suffer, swallow; reconcile (to); acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)

Near Antonyms

decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down; combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist; avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss; abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

Rhymes with STOMACH

hummock

stom·ach

noun \ˈstəm-ək, -ik\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of STOMACH

1

a : a saclike expansion of the alimentary canal of a vertebrate communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly with the duodenum and being typically a simple often curved sac with an outer serous coat, a strong complex muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and a mucous lining membrane that contains gastric glands b : one of the compartments of a ruminant stomach <the abomasum is the fourth stomach of a ruminant>

2

: a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach

3

: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen

Illustration of STOMACH

stomach

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Digestive sac in the left upper abdominal cavity, which expands or contracts with the amount of food in it. It has four regions: the cardia leads down from the esophagus; the fundus curves above it; the body is the largest part; and the antrum narrows to join the duodenum at the pyloric valve. Iron and very fat-soluble substances (e.g., alcohol, some drugs) are absorbed in the stomach. Peristalsis mixes food with enzymes and hydrochloric acid from glands in its lining and moves the resulting chyme toward the small intestine. The vagus nerve and sympathetic nervous system control the stomach's secretions and movements. Emotional stress affects its function. Common disorders include gastritis, peptic ulcer, hiatal hernia, and cancer. See also digestion, gastrectomy.