digestive

[ dih-jes-tiv, dahy- ]

adjective

1. serving for or pertaining to digestion; having the function of digesting food:

   the digestive tract.

2. promoting digestion.

noun

1. a substance promoting digestion.

digestive

/ dɪˈdʒɛstɪv; daɪˈdʒɛstənt; daɪ- /

adjective

1. relating to, aiding, or subjecting to digestion

   a digestive enzyme

noun

1. a less common word for digestant
2. short for digestive biscuit

Derived Forms

• diˈgestively, adverb

Other Words From

• di·gestive·ly adverb
• nondi·gestive adjective
• postdi·gestive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of digestive¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French digestif < Latin dīgestīvus, equivalent to dīgest ( us ) ( digest ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

The mum-of-two said it was after she passed blood that she was sent for tests that found she had a "low-grade" neuroendocrine tumour in her digestive system.

From BBC

Those that affect the digestive system can cause diarrhoea and stomach pains, and, according to the health service, what causes them is "not fully understood".

From BBC

Previous research has demonstrated that M. Leidyi fuse within themselves whenever they need to defecate, squashing together their outer skin and digestive system fuse to form an opening— essentially creating a "disappearing anus" — yet this is the first evidence for two separate jellies becoming one.

From Salon

“However, this differs from our finding, where previously independent organisms fused in just a few hours, merging nervous and digestive systems functionally,” Jokura said.

From Salon

She also has Crohn's disease - a lifelong condition which causes parts of the digestive system to become inflamed - and has previously spoken about its toll on her health.

From BBC