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defecating - 2 dictionary results

def⋅e⋅cate

  [def-i-keyt] verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
Use defecating in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
def⋅e⋅ca⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To defecating
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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