Intestine Meaning
/ɪnˈtɛstɪn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe alimentary canal of an animal through which food passes after having passed all stomachs.
nounOne of certain subdivisions of this part of the alimentary canal, such as the small or large intestine in human beings.
Sentence Examples
Bacterial colonization of the intestine occurs after birth.
The large intestine absorbs water.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After leaving the stomach, food passes through the small ____ where nutrients are absorbed.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Nutrients from the food we eat are absorbed through the walls of the small ____ into the blood.
Word Origin & History
From Latin intestīnum, neuter of intestīnus (“internal”), as Etymology 2, below.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Hoping here to end / Intestine war in heaven, the arch foe subdued."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"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[…]."
— 1615, Ralph Hamor, A True Discourse of the Present State of Virginia, Richmond, published 1957, page 2:
"[W]riters ſhould ceaſe from inteſtine hoſtilities; and, inſtead of ſacrificing each other to malice and contempt, endeavour to avert perſecution from the meaneſt of their fraternity."
— 1751 August 16 (Gregorian calendar), Samuel Johnson, “No. 145. Monday, August 6. 1751.”, in The Rambler, volume VI, Edinburgh: […] Sands, Murray, and Cochran; sold by W. Gordon, C. Wright, J. Yair, […], published 1751, →OCLC, page 109:
"Yet the success of Trajan, however transient, was rapid and specious. The degenerate Parthians, broken by intestine discord, fled before his arms."
— 1776–1788, Edward Gibbon, chapter 1, in The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell, […], →OCLC:
"[…] surrounded by an enemy rendered desperate from the calamities of intestine war."
— c. 1800, “Biographical Memoir of Rear-Admiral John Willett Payne”, in The Naval Chronicle, volume 3:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After leaving the stomach, food passes through the small ____ where nutrients are absorbed.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Nutrients from the food we eat are absorbed through the walls of the small ____ into the blood.