Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to the process of digestion: Pertaining to the bodily system or process that breaks down food into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body.
   • Aiding or promoting digestion: Having the power to cause or assist in the process of digestion.

2. Noun:

   • A substance that aids digestion: Any substance, such as an enzyme, medicine, or food, that promotes or facilitates the process of digestion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The digestive system is complex and vital to health.
  • Eating ginger can have a digestive benefit.
• Noun:
  • He took a digestive after the heavy meal.
  • Some herbs are known to be powerful digestives.

Advanced Usage

• "digestive tract": The entire passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus during digestion. (Note: This is a compound term listed here as an example of advanced usage).
  • An infection can affect any part of the digestive tract.
• "digestive biscuit": A type of semi-sweet biscuit (cookie) originally thought to aid digestion. (Note: This is a compound term listed here as an example of advanced usage).
  • She served tea with digestive biscuits.

Variants and Related Words

• Digestion (n): The process of digesting food.
• Digest (v): To break down food in the stomach and intestines.
• Indigestion (n): Pain or discomfort in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.
• Digestible (adj): (Of food) Able to be digested.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Peptic, gastrointestinal.
• Noun: Digestant, aperient.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Digestive enzyme: A protein that speeds up chemical reactions involved in breaking down food.
• Digestive juice: The fluids (like stomach acid) secreted into the digestive tract to aid digestion.

Adjective

1. relating to or having the power to cause or promote digestion
   • digestive juices
   • a digestive enzyme
   • digestive ferment

Noun

1. any substance that promotes digestion