Translation of 'bowel' in English
Word 'bowel' in Other Languages
- bowel in Assamese অসমীয়া
- bowel in Bengali বাংলা
- bowel in Bodo बड़ो
- bowel in Dogri डोगरी
- bowel in English
- bowel in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- bowel in Hindi हिन्दी
- bowel in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- bowel in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- bowel in Konkani कोंकणी
- bowel in Maithili মৈথিলী
- bowel in Malayalam മലയാളം
- bowel in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- bowel in Marathi मराठी
- bowel in Nepali नेपाली
- bowel in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- bowel in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- bowel in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- bowel in Santali
- bowel in Sindhi سنڌي
- bowel in Tamil தமிழ்
- bowel in Telugu తెలుగు
- bowel in Urdu اُردُو
Bowel
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈbaʊəl/
Definitions
- Any of the parts of the intestine in the body, including the small intestine and large intestine, that are responsible for digestion and the absorption of nutrients.
- Informally, used to refer to the intestines as a whole, particularly the large intestine.
Usage Examples
- The doctor examined the patient's bowel to check for any signs of infection.
- Maintaining a healthy diet is important for proper bowel function.
Etymology
The word "bowel" comes from the Old French word "boel," which evolved from the Latin word "botulus" meaning sausage, which was used to describe the intestines. The term "bowel" has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to the internal organs of the digestive system.
Synonyms
- Intestine
- Gut
- Entrails
Antonyms
- External organ
- Skin
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Intestin | /ɛ̃tɛsˈtɛ̃/ |
| Spanish | Intestino | /intesˈtino/ |
| German | Darm | /daʁm/ |
| Italian | Intestino | /inteˈstino/ |
| Portuguese | Intestino | /ĩteʃˈtʃinu/ |
| Hindi | आंत (Aant) | /ɑːnt/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 肠 (Cháng) | /ʈʂʰɑ́ŋ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- American English: /ˈbaʊəl/
- British English: /ˈbaʊəl/
Historical Usage
The word "bowel" has been used in medical contexts for centuries to describe the digestive tract. In medieval times, "bowels" referred to the internal organs, and this sense is still prevalent today in both medical and everyday language. The word also appears in older English texts as part of expressions describing emotions, such as "to move the bowels," reflecting the strong connection between physical processes and mental or emotional states. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the term was commonly used to describe not only the intestines but also the abdomen in general.
Cultural Nuances
The term "bowel" has significant cultural and health-related connotations across different societies. It is often associated with discussions about health, particularly gastrointestinal disorders, and is also a key part of discussions on diet and wellness. In some cultures, the idea of maintaining "good bowel health" is directly linked to overall well-being. In other traditions, particularly in ancient times, bowels were considered the seat of emotions, and the term was used metaphorically to express deep feelings, as seen in phrases like "gut feelings" or "nervous stomach."
More Information
Bowel health is essential for overall well-being, as the bowels play a critical role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and the elimination of waste. Issues related to the bowels can lead to a variety of health problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Modern medicine places great emphasis on maintaining bowel health through proper nutrition, hydration, exercise, and regular check-ups. Additionally, awareness of bowel health is critical in the prevention of colon cancer, one of the most common types of cancer worldwide.
Aside from the medical context, the bowels have symbolic and emotional significance in various cultures. For example, in many ancient societies, the bowels were thought to be the physical manifestation of a person’s emotional state. Today, the phrase "gut feeling" is commonly used to describe intuitive emotions or instincts that arise from deep within a person, hinting at the continuing cultural importance of the bowels in understanding human behavior and well-being.