Meaning of defecate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈdɛfəˌkeɪt/

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    UK accent

  1. Verb

    defecate

    Etymology

    late Middle English (in the sense ‘clear of dregs, purify’): from Latin defaecat-‘cleared of dregs’, from the verb defaecare, from de- (expressing removal) + faex, faec-‘dregs’. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century

    Definitions

    1. have a bowel movement

    Examples

    • « The dog had made in the flower beds »

    Derived terms

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