Peristalsis Definition
pĕrĭ-stôlsĭs, -stăl-
peristalses
noun
peristalses
The rhythmic, wavelike motion of the walls of the alimentary canal and certain other hollow organs, consisting of alternate contractions and dilations of transverse and longitudinal muscles that move the contents of the canal or organ onward.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- anastalsis
Other Word Forms of Peristalsis
Noun
Singular:
peristalsis
Plural:
peristalsesOrigin of Peristalsis
From Ancient Greek περισταλτικός (peristaltikos) δύναμις (dunamis, “peristaltic action of the bowels, by which their contents are propelled"), from περιστέλλω (peristellō, “wrap around"), from περί (peri, “around") + στέλλω (stellō, “I place").
From Wiktionary
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New Latin from Greek peristaltikos peristaltic from peristellein to wrap around peri- peri- stellein to place stel- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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