Bowels – Definition & Meaning

The word “bowels” is commonly used in the English language, but what does it really mean? In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of bowels, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.

Definitions

The term “bowels” refers to the lower part of the human body, specifically the intestines. It is also used to describe the innermost parts or depths of something. In medical terms, the bowels are the organs responsible for digestion and excretion.

Origin

The word “bowels” comes from the Old French word “boel,” which means “intestines.” It has been used in the English language since the 14th century.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, bowels are defined as “the intestines especially of an animal.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines bowels as “the internal organs of the body, especially the intestines.” The Cambridge Dictionary describes bowels as “the long tube in the body that carries solid waste from the stomach out of the body.”

Associations

The term “bowels” is often associated with bodily functions such as digestion, excretion, and waste elimination. It is also used in idiomatic expressions such as “gut feeling” or “gut reaction,” which refer to an instinctive or intuitive feeling.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for bowels include intestines, guts, innards, entrails, and viscera.

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms for the term “bowels,” but it can be contrasted with other body parts such as the heart, lungs, or brain.

The same root words

The word “bowels” shares the same root word as the term “embowel,” which means to disembowel or remove the intestines from an animal or human body.

Example Sentences

1. The doctor examined his patient’s bowels to check for any signs of irregularity.
2. She felt a sudden pain in her lower bowels after eating a spicy meal.
3. The team had to dig deep into the bowels of the earth to find the buried treasure.
4. He had a gut feeling that something was wrong with the business deal.
5. The chef carefully emboweled the fish before cooking it.