gizzard

gizzard

giz·zard / ˈgizərd/ • n. a muscular, thick-walled part of a bird's stomach for grinding food, typically with grit. Also called ventriculus. ∎  a muscular stomach of some fish, insects, mollusks, and other invertebrates. ∎ inf. a person's stomach or throat. ORIGIN: late Middle English giser: from Old French, based on Latin gigeria ‘cooked entrails of fowl.’ The final -d was added in the 16th cent.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"gizzard." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gizzard." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gizzard.html

"gizzard." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gizzard.html

Learn more about citation styles

gizzard

gizzard In many animals, a part of the alimentary canal where food is broken into small particles before the main digestive processes commence. The walls of the gizzard are very muscular and may be equipped with a horny lining (e.g. in earthworms), sharp projections (e.g. in cockroaches), or may contain stones or grit swallowed by the animal (e.g. in birds).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gizzard." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gizzard." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-gizzard.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gizzard." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-gizzard.html

Learn more about citation styles

gizzard

gizzard A muscular compartment of the alimentary canal of many animals that is specialized for breaking up food. In birds the gizzard lies between the proventriculus and the duodenum and contains small stones and grit, which assist in breaking up the food when the gizzard contracts. See also gastric mill.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"gizzard." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gizzard." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-gizzard.html

"gizzard." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-gizzard.html

Learn more about citation styles

gizzard

gizzard XIV. ME. giser — OF. giser, gezier, juisier, also guisier (mod. gésier) :- Rom. *gicerium, for L. gigeria pl. The final d appears XVI. The pronunc. with hard g seems to be due to OF. guisier.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

T. F. HOAD. "gizzard." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "gizzard." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gizzard.html

T. F. HOAD. "gizzard." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gizzard.html

Learn more about citation styles

gizzard

gizzard •landward • backward •Edward, headward •hellward • heavenward • leftward •northwestward, southwestward, westward •wayward •leeward, seaward •eastward, northeastward, southeastward •windward • inward • cityward •skyward • sideward • rightward •onward •forward, henceforward, shoreward, straightforward, thenceforward •awkward • northward •downward, townward •outward • southward • poleward •homeward • oceanward • Woodward •sunward • upward • frontward •rearward • afterward • earthward •halyard •lanyard, Spaniard •untenured • steelyard • vineyard •poniard •haphazard, hazard, mazzard •blizzard, gizzard, izard, lizard, vizard, wizard •buzzard

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"gizzard." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gizzard." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gizzard.html

"gizzard." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gizzard.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Gizzard contents of piping plover chicks in northern Michigan.
Magazine article from: Wilson Bulletin; 3/1/1999
Gizzard Inspection System.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
Magazine article from: Food Manufacturing; 11/1/2011
A whole-lake density reduction to assess compensatory responses of gizzard...
Magazine article from: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; 6/1/2012

Facts and information from other sites

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of gizzard