flatulence

English

Etymology

From French flatulence, ultimately from Latin flō (breathe, blow).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈflæt͡ʃələns/, /ˈflæt͡ʃʊləns/, /ˈflæt(j)ʊləns/
    • (file)
  • Hyphenation: flat‧u‧lence
  • Rhymes: -ætʃələns, -ætʃʊləns, -æt(j)ʊləns

Noun

flatulence (countable and uncountable, plural flatulences)

  1. The state of having gas, often smelly, trapped (and when released, frequently with noise) in the digestive system of a human and some other animals; wind; and when released, a flatus, a fart.
  2. The release of such gas; breaking wind.

Usage notes

A formal Latinate term, used in medical and scientific discourse, but also euphemistically to avoid crude terms such as fart. Compare excrement.

Coordinate terms

Derived terms

Translations

French

Etymology

From flatulent + -ence.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fla.ty.lɑ̃s/
  • (file)

Noun

flatulence f (plural flatulences)

  1. flatulence

See also

Further reading

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