( BrE also defae·cate ) / ˈdefəkeɪt; NAmE ; ˈdiː-/ verb
[ v ] ( formal ) to get rid of solid waste from your body through your bowels
► defe·ca·tion ( BrE also defae·ca·tion ) / ˌdefəˈkeɪʃn; NAmE ; ˌdiː-/ noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense clear of dregs, purify ): from Latin defaecat- cleared of dregs, from the verb defaecare , from de- (expressing removal) + faex , faec- dregs. The current sense dates from the mid 19th cent.