ˈstʌmək n. & v. --n. 1 a
the internal organ in
which the
first part of
digestion occurs,
being in
man a pear-shaped
enlargement of the
alimentary canal linking the
oesophagus to the
small intestine. b
any of
several such organs in animals,
esp. ruminants, in which
there are
four (cf.
RUMEN,
RETICULUM,
OMASUM, ABOMASUM). 2 a the
belly,
abdomen, or lower
front of the
body (pit of the stomach). b a
protuberant belly (what a stomach he
has got!). 3 (usu. foll. by for) a an
appetite (for food). b
liking, readiness, or
inclination (for
controversy,
conflict,
danger, or an undertaking) (had no stomach
for the fight). --v.tr. 1
find sufficiently
palatable to swallow or
keep down. 2
submit to or
endure (an
affront etc.) (usu.
with neg.:
cannot stomach it). ømuscular stomach any organ
that grinds or squeezes to
aid digestion, such as a
gizzard. on an
empty stomach
not having eaten recently. on a full stomach
soon after a
large meal. stomach-ache a
pain in the belly or bowels. stomach-pump a
syringe for forcing
liquid etc.
into or
out of the stomach. stomach-tube a
tube introduced into the stomach
via the
gullet for cleansing or emptying
it. stomach
upset (or upset stomach) a
temporary slight disorder of the
digestive system. øøstomachful n. (pl. -fuls). stomachless adj. [ME stomak f. OF stomaque, estomac f. L stomachus f. Gk stomakhos gullet f.
stoma mouth]
