Definition

1. Noun:
   • The intestine, especially the large intestine: "bowel" refers to the part of the digestive system that extends from the stomach to the anus, responsible for absorbing water and nutrients and eliminating waste.
   • (plural, bowels) The inner parts, especially the deepest or most remote parts: Used metaphorically to refer to the interior of something, often a large structure or the earth.
   • (plural, bowels) Feelings of pity or compassion: An archaic or literary usage referring to deep-seated emotions, particularly mercy or sympathy.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Anatomical):
  • The doctor examined the patient's bowel for any signs of disease.
  • A healthy diet is essential for good bowel function.
• Noun (Plural, Metaphorical - Interior):
  • The miners descended into the bowels of the earth.
  • The engine room is located in the bowels of the ship.
• Noun (Plural, Archaic - Compassion):
  • The tyrant was said to have no bowels of mercy for his subjects.

Advanced Usage

• "to evacuate/move/open one's bowels": a formal or medical phrase meaning to defecate.
  • The medication helps the patient evacuate his bowels regularly.
• "bowel movement": the act or an instance of defecation; also the waste matter itself.
  • The nurse recorded the frequency of the patient's bowel movements.

Variants and Related Words

• Bowel-related (adj): pertaining to the bowels.
  • She underwent a bowel-related surgical procedure.
• Bowel cancer (n): cancer of the colon or rectum.
  • Regular screening is recommended for early detection of bowel cancer.

Synonyms

• Intestine: The anatomical term for the bowel.
• Gut: A more informal term for the stomach and intestines.
• Innards: Informal for internal organs; can be used metaphorically like "bowels."
• Viscera: The internal organs in the main cavities of the body.

Related Phrases

• The bowels of compassion/mercy/pity: An idiom using the archaic sense, meaning a source of deep feeling or sympathy.
  • The story was meant to stir the bowels of compassion in the audience.

Notes on Usage

• In modern, non-medical English, "bowel" is most commonly used in the singular to refer to the intestine as an organ system (e.g., , ).
• The plural form "bowels" is standard for the metaphorical meaning of "interior depths."
• The use of "bowels" to mean compassion is now rare and considered literary or archaic.

Noun

1. the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus