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defecate

 - 4 dictionary results

def⋅e⋅cate

[def-i-keyt] verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to void excrement from the bowels through the anus; have a bowel movement.
2. to become clear of dregs, impurities, etc.
–verb (used with object)
3. to clear of dregs, impurities, etc.; purify; refine.

Origin:
1565–75; < L dēfaecātus (ptp. of dēfaecāre to cleanse, refine), equiv. to dē- de- + faec- (s. of faex dregs, sediment) + -ātus -ate 1


def⋅e⋅ca⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To defecate
def·e·cate   (děf'ĭ-kāt')   
v.   def·e·cat·ed, def·e·cat·ing, def·e·cates

v.   intr.
To void feces from the bowels.
v.   tr.
  1. To remove (impurities, as in a chemical solution); clarify.

  2. To void (feces) from the bowels.


[Latin dēfaecāre, to clean the dregs from : dē-, de- + faex, faec-, dregs.]
def'e·ca'tion n., def'e·ca'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: def·e·cate
Variant: or chiefly British def·ae·cate /'def-i-"kAt/
Function: verb
Inflected Forms:-cat·ed; -cat·ing
transitive senses
: to discharge from the anus defecate intransitive senses
: to discharge feces fromthe bowels
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

defecate def·e·cate (děf'ĭ-kāt')
v. def·e·cat·ed, def·e·cat·ing, def·e·cates
To void feces from the bowels.


def'e·ca'tion n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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