English Explanatory Dictionary

peristalsis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

/ˌpɛɹɪˈstalsɪs/ /ˌpɛɹɪˈstælsɪs/ /ˌpɛɹɪˈstɑlsɪs/ en-us-peristalsis.ogg en-us-peristalsis-2.ogg

Word forms

peristalsis peristalses

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”).

Synonyms

enterocinesia vermiculation

Derived words

antiperistalsis aperistalsis dysperistalsis hyperperistalsis hypoperistalsis normoperistalsis peristaltic peristaltically retroperistalsis
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