/in tes"tin/ , n.
1. Usually, intestines . the lower part of the alimentary canal, extending from the pylorus to the anus.
2. Also called small intestine . the narrow, longer part of the intestines, comprising the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, that serves to digest and absorb nutrients.
3. Also called large intestine . the broad, shorter part of the intestines, comprising the cecum, colon, and rectum, that absorbs water from and eliminates the residues of digestion.
adj.
4. internal; domestic; civil: intestine strife.
[ 1525-35; intestinum, n. use of neut. of intestinus internal, equiv. to intes- (var. of intus inside) + -tinus adj. suffix; cf. VESPERTINE ]