sphincter
English
Etymology
From Middle French sphincter, from Late Latin sphincter, itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek σφιγκτήρ (sphinktḗr, “band, contractile muscle”), from σφίγγω (sphíngō, “I bind tight”). Compare sphinx, "the strangler".
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈsfɪŋktə/
Noun
sphincter (plural sphincters)
- (anatomy) A ringlike band of muscle that surrounds a bodily opening, constricting and relaxing as required for normal physiological functioning.
- the sphincter of the bladder
- the iris sphincter in the eye
- 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance (Faber & Faber, 2004: Avignon Quintet), page 836:
- She decided that she would force him to climax first by the sheer strength of her young animal control, the strength of her sphincters […]
- (in particular) The internal or external anal sphincter, to the extent these are distinguished as two separate entities.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Terms derived from the noun "sphincter"
Related terms
Translations
band of muscle
|
See also
French
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek σφιγκτήρ (sphinktḗr), from σφίγγω (sphíngō, “to bind tight”).
Pronunciation
Noun
sphincter m (plural sphincters)
Further reading
- “sphincter”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Categories:
- English terms borrowed from Middle French
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms borrowed from Late Latin
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English terms borrowed from Ancient Greek
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- en:Anatomy
- French terms borrowed from Ancient Greek
- French terms derived from Ancient Greek
- French 2-syllable words
- French terms with IPA pronunciation
- French lemmas
- French nouns
- French countable nouns
- French masculine nouns
- fr:Anatomy