peristalsis

English

WOTD – 5 October 2010

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δύναμις περισταλτική (dúnamis peristaltikḗ, the action of the bowels by which their contents are propelled) , from περιστέλλω (peristéllō, to wrap around), from περι- (peri-, around) + στέλλω (stéllō, to make ready, to prepare).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌpɛɹɪˈstalsɪs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌpɛɹɪˈstælsɪs/, /ˌpɛɹɪˈstɑlsɪs/
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Noun

peristalsis (countable and uncountable, plural peristalses)

  1. (medicine) The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Spanish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /peɾisˈtalsis/ [pe.ɾisˈt̪al.sis]
  • Rhymes: -alsis
  • Syllabification: pe‧ris‧tal‧sis

Noun

peristalsis f (plural peristalsis)

  1. peristalsis

Further reading

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