abdomen
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈæb.də.mən//
- United Kingdom//æbˈdəʊ.mən//
- United States//ˈæb.də.mən//
- United States//æbˈdoʊ.mən//
The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, not including the back; or in some lower vertebrates, the portion between the cardiac and caudal regions.
noun
- 1
obsoleteThe fat surrounding the belly.
- 2
The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, not including the back; or in some lower vertebrates, the portion between the cardiac and caudal regions.
- 3
The cavity of the belly, which is lined by the peritoneum, and contains the viscera; often restricted in humans to the part between the diaphragm and the commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the pelvic cavity.
He was all bent over complaining of pains in the abdomen.
- 4
The posterior section of the body, behind the thorax, in insects, crustaceans, and other Arthropoda.
Etymology
First attested in 1541 as labdomen. Borrowed from Middle French abdomen as well as from its etymon Latin abdōmen, possibly from abdō (“conceal”), from ab (“away”) + -dō (“put, place”).
Forms
- plural
- abdomens, abdomina
abdomen · The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, not including the back; or in some lower vertebrates, the portion between the…
abdominal · Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral.abduct · To take away by force; to carry away (a human being)…abducted · Having been kidnapped; having become the victim of an…