chyme

noun

: the semifluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chime, chyme "body fluid, humor," borrowed from Medieval Latin chymus, chimus "body fluid, partly digested food," borrowed from Greek chȳmós "juice of plants, animal or plant fluid, humor," of uncertain origin

Note: See note at chyle.

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chyme was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near chyme

Cite this Entry

“Chyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chyme. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chyme

noun
: the partly fluid and partly solid mass of incompletely digested food that passes from the stomach into the first part of the small intestine

Medical Definition

chyme

noun
: the semifluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum
chymous adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chyme

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