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

Do you think it is their digestive systems?

From Salon

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

“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

SIBO, also known as blind loop syndrome, commonly occurs “when a circumstance — such as surgery or disease — slows the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract.”

From Los Angeles Times

The cancers are often grouped together because they have many features in common and occur when malignant polyps develop in either of the digestive organs.

From Los Angeles Times