stomach

stom·ach / ˈstəmək/ • n. 1. the internal organ in which the first part of digestion occurs, being (in humans and many mammals) a pear-shaped enlargement of the alimentary canal linking the esophagus to the small intestine. ∎  each of four such organs in a ruminant (the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum). ∎  any of a number of analogous organs in lower animals. ∎  the front part of the body between the chest and thighs; the belly: Blake hit him in the stomach. ∎  [in sing.] the stomach viewed as the seat of hunger, nausea, anxiety, or other unsettling feelings: Virginia had a sick feeling in her stomach. 2. [in sing.] an appetite for food or drink: she doesn't have the stomach to eat anything. ∎  a desire or inclination for something involving conflict, difficulty, or unpleasantness: the teams proved to have no stomach for a fight | frankly, I don't have the stomach to find out. • v. [tr.] (usu. cannot stomach) consume (food or drink) without feeling or being sick: if you cannot stomach orange juice, try apple juice. ∎  endure or accept (an obnoxious thing or person): I can't stomach the self-righteous attitude of some managers. PHRASES: an army marches on its stomach a group of soldiers or workers can only fight or function effectively if they have been well fed. on a full (or an empty) stomach after having eaten (or having not eaten): I think better on a full stomach. a strong stomach an ability to see or do unpleasant things without feeling sick or squeamish.DERIVATIVES: stom·ach·ful / -ˌfoŏl/ n. (pl. -fuls) . ORIGIN: Middle English: from Old French estomac, stomaque, via Latin from Greek stomakhos ‘gullet,’ from stoma ‘mouth.’ The early sense of the verb was ‘be offended at, resent’ (early 16th cent.).