meconium

[ mi-koh-nee-uhm ]

noun

1. the first fecal excretion of a newborn child, composed chiefly of bile, mucus, and epithelial cells.
2. fecal mass released at pupation by the larvae of some insects.
3. the milky sap of the unripe seed pods of the opium poppy; crude opium.

meconium

/ mɪˈkəʊnɪəm /

noun

1. the dark green mucoid material that forms the first faeces of a newborn infant
2. opium or the juice from the opium poppy

Word History and Origins

Origin of meconium¹

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek mēkṓnion, diminutive of mḗkōn poppy

Word History and Origins

Origin of meconium¹

C17: from New Latin, from Latin: poppy juice (used also of infant's excrement because of similarity in colour), from Greek mēkōneion, from mēkōn poppy

Example Sentences

However, things didn’t quite go to plan and Indigo became stressed and showed signs of meconium aspiration syndrome, which basically means he had a bowel movement inside of me and that became an emergency.”

From BBC

The group is now investigating the occurrence of microbial metabolites in other mammals: piglets and calves, as well as in the meconium and amniotic fluid samples of babies.

From Science Daily

Lo wrote that doctors discovered her newborn swallowed meconium, which led to pneumonia.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the last year, research has shown the presence of these particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn.

From Los Angeles Times

In just the last few months, research has shown the presence of plastic particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn.

From Los Angeles Times