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, abdomen2 a: desire for food caused by hunger : appetite b: inclination, desire <had no stomach for an argument> ; also : courage, guts3obsolete a: spirit, valor b: pride c: spleen, resentment