n. & v.
--n.
1. a the internal organ in which the first part of digestion occurs, being in man a pear-shaped enlargement of the alimentary canal linking the oesophagus to the small intestine. b any of several such organs in animals, esp. ruminants, in which there are four (cf. RUMEN, RETICULUM, OMASUM, ABOMASUM).
2 a the belly, abdomen, or lower front of the body (pit of the stomach). b a protuberant belly (what a stomach he has got!).
3 (usu. foll. by for) a an appetite (for food). b liking, readiness, or inclination (for controversy, conflict, danger, or an undertaking) (had no stomach for the fight).
--v.tr.
1. find sufficiently palatable to swallow or keep down.
2 submit to or endure (an affront etc.) (usu. with neg.: cannot stomach it).
Phrases and idioms:
muscular stomach any organ that grinds or squeezes to aid digestion, such as a gizzard. on an empty stomach not having eaten recently. on a full stomach soon after a large meal. stomach-ache a pain in the belly or bowels. stomach-pump a syringe for forcing liquid etc. into or out of the stomach. stomach-tube a tube introduced into the stomach via the gullet for cleansing or emptying it. stomach upset (or upset stomach) a temporary slight disorder of the digestive system.
Derivatives:
stomachful n. (pl. -fuls). stomachless adj.
Etymology: ME stomak f. OF stomaque, estomac f. L stomachus f. Gk stomakhos gullet f. stoma mouth