Main Entry: ¹stom·ach

Pronunciation: \ˈstə-mək, -mik\

Function: noun

Etymology: 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-

Date: 14th century

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