esophagus Hear it!

esophagus definition

esopha·gus (i säf′ə gəs, ē-)

noun pl. esophagi -·a·gi′ (-jī′)

the tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach; gullet

Etymology: altered (after ML) < ME ysophagus, OFr ysofague < ML oesophagus < Gr oisophagos, lit., passage for food < oisein, fut. inf. of pherein, to carry (see bear) + phagein, to eat: see -phagous

Related Forms:

  • esophageal esoph′a·ge′al (i säf′ə jē′əl, ē′sə faj′ē əl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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