Intestine

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnˈtÉ›stɪn/
• Rhymes: -É›stɪn

From Latin intestīnum, neuter of intestīnus ("internal"), as Etymology 2, below.

Full definition of intestine

Noun

1. (anatomy, often pluralized) The alimentary canal of an animal through which food passes after having passed all stomachs.
2. One of certain subdivisions of this part of the alimentary canal, such as the small or large intestine in human beings.

Synonyms

• bowel
• gut
• tharm

Derived terms

• intestinal
• gastrointestinal
• large intestine
• small intestine

From Latin intestīnus ("internal"), from intus ("within").

Adjective

1. Domestic; taking place within a given country or region.
• 1615, Ralph Hamor, A True Discourse of the Present State of Virginia, Richmond 1957, p. 2:It being true that now after fiue yeeres intestine warre with the reuengefull implacable Indians, a firme peace (not againe easily to be broken) hath bin lately concluded ....
• 1776, Edward_Gibbon, The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ch. 1,Yet the success of Trajan, however transient, was rapid and specious. The degenerate Parthians, broken by intestine discord, fled before his arms.
2. (obsolete) Internal.
• 1603, John Florio, trans. Michel de Montaigne, Essays, I.41:When you have alleaged all the reasons you can, and beleeved all to disavow and reject her, she produceth, contrarie to your discourses, so intestine inclination, that you have small hold against her.
• MiltonHoping here to end
  Intestine war in heaven, the arch foe subdued.
• Humean intestine struggle ... between authority and liberty
3. (obsolete, rare) Depending upon the internal constitution of a body or entity; subjective.
• CudworthEverything labours under an intestine necessity.
4. (obsolete, rare) Shut up; enclosed.