flatus

[ fley-tuhs ]

noun

, plural fla·tus·es.

1. intestinal gas produced by bacterial action on waste matter in the intestines and composed primarily of hydrogen sulfide and varying amounts of methane.

flatus

/ ˈfleɪtəs /

noun

1. gas generated in the alimentary canal

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatus¹

1660–70; < New Latin; Latin: a blowing, breathing, breath, equivalent to flā ( re ) to blow + -tus suffix of v. action

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatus¹

C17: from Latin: a blowing, snorting, from flāre to breathe, blow

Example Sentences

No one will be taking away their AFC title, which would have been easily secured regardless of whether the balls were filled with fluid, flubber, or flatus.

From MSNBC

“Even now,” he says of his flatus work, “it overshadows everything else I do.”

From Salon

One study showed that women who had episiotomies were as much as six times more likely to report fecal or flatus incontinence than women who delivered with an intact perineum.

From New York Times

Yes, today I am covering gas - specifically, the gas that people blame on their dogs: flatus.

From Scientific American

Modern medicine offers some support, reporting that flatus retention is the major factor in diverticular disease.

From Salon

Related Words

• aroma
• breath
• fume
• hint
• odor
• puff
• scent