I. ˈstəmə̇k, -mēk noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English stomak, from Middle French estomac, from Latin stomachus gullet, esophagus, stomach, from Greek stomachos, from stoma mouth, opening; akin to Middle Breton staffu mouth, Welsh safu mouth, Avestan staman- mouth of a dog
1.
a. : a dilatation of the alimentary canal of a vertebrate communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly with the duodenum, being typically a simple often curved sac with an outer serous coat, a strong complex muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and a mucous lining membrane that contains gastric glands, being in some forms (as ruminants) constricted into several chambers that differ in function and structure, providing various digestive enzymes, and grinding and mixing food materials by its muscular action — compare crop ; see gastric juice ; greater curvature , lesser curvature , pylorus ; abomasum , omasum , rumen
b. : a digestive cavity in an invertebrate animal ; especially : a part of the alimentary canal more or less corresponding with the vertebrate stomach
c. : the part of the body that contains the stomach : the ventral part of the trunk : belly , abdomen
she lay on her stomach reading
a rash on the stomach
2.
a. : desire for food caused by hunger : appetite
had a good stomach for dinner after their climb
b. : inclination or desire for something other than food — usually used negatively
had no stomach for meeting such a rascal
3.
a. : the seat or source of the feelings : emotional power or capacity to meet or withstand a demand on the feelings
needed a strong stomach to meet such challenges
b. : a particular disposition or mental attitude: as
(1) obsolete : compassion
(2) obsolete : temper , spirit , valor
(3) obsolete : pride , arrogance
(4) obsolete : anger or a display of anger : spleen
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to remember with anger : take offense at
2. obsolete : enrage , irritate , offend
3.
a. : to bear without unfavorable reaction
the prisoner could not stomach his food
b. : to bear without overt resentment : put up with : brook
the legislators should not stomach the proposal
4. : nauseate , disgust
intransitive verb
obsolete : to be angry : show anger : take offense : feel resentment