| 1. | Usually, intestines. the lower part of the alimentary canal, extending from the pylorus to the anus. |
| 2. | Also called small intestine. the narrow, longer part of the intestines, comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, that serves to digest and absorb nutrients. |
| 3. | Also called large intestine. the broad, shorter part of the intestines, comprising the cecum, colon, and rectum, that absorbs water from and eliminates the residues of digestion. |
| 4. | internal; domestic; civil: intestine strife. |

intestine in·tes·tine (ĭn-těs'tĭn)
n.
The portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consisting of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine.
intestine
tubular part of the alimentary canal that extends from the stomach to the anus. The intestine is the site of most chemical digestive processes and the place where digested food materials are either absorbed for use by the body or collected into feces for elimination. The anterior part of the intestine, which is linked to the stomach, is called the small intestine. It is followed by a shorter, wider segment called the large intestine, which terminates in the anus.
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