Stomach
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈstʌmək/
Alternative forms
Origin
From Middle English stomak, from Old French estomac, from Latin stomachus, from Ancient Greek στόμαχος, from στόμα (stoma, "mouth"). Displaced native Middle English mawe ("stomach, maw") (from Old English maga), Middle English bouk, buc ("belly, stomach") (from Old English buc ("belly, stomach"), see bucket).
Full definition of stomach
Noun
stomach
(plural stomachs)- An organ in animals that stores food in the process of digestion.
- (informal) The belly.
- (obsolete) Pride, haughtiness.
- 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.vii:Sterne was his looke, and full of stomacke vaine,
His portaunce terrible, and stature tall ... - 1613, William Shakespeare, , IV. ii. 34:He was a man
Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
Himself with princes; - John LockeThis sort of crying proceeding from pride, obstinacy, and stomach, the will, where the fault lies, must be bent.
- (obsolete) Appetite.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.ii.1.2:If after seven hours' tarrying he shall have no stomach, let him defer his meal, or eat very little at his ordinary time of repast.
- a good stomach for roast beef
- 1591, William Shakespeare, , I. ii. 50:You come not home because you have no stomach.
You have no stomach, having broke your fast. - (figuratively) Desire, appetite (for something abstract).I have no stomach for a fight today.
- 1591, William Shakespeare, , IV. iii. 36:That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart:
Derived terms
Verb
- (transitive) To tolerate (something), emotionally, physically, or mentally; to stand or handle something.I really can’t stomach jobs involving that much paperwork, but some people seem to tolerate them.I can't stomach her cooking.
- (obsolete, intransitive) To be angry.
- (obsolete, transitive) To resent; to remember with anger; to dislike.
- 1607, William Shakespeare, , III. iv. 12:O, my good lord,
Believe not all; or, if you must believe,
Stomach not all. - L'EstrangeThe lion began to show his teeth, and to stomach the affront.
- MiltonThe Parliament sit in that body ... to be his counsellors and dictators, though he stomach it.