/ dʒɪˈdʒuːnəm; NAmE / noun
( anatomy ) the second part of the small intestine
—compare duodenum , ileum
► je·junal / -ˈdʒuːnl; NAmE / adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from medieval Latin , neuter of jejunus fasting (because it is usually found to be empty after death).