entrails

[ en-treylz, -truhlz ]

plural noun

1. the internal parts of the trunk of an animal body.
2. the intestines.
3. the internal parts of anything:

   the entrails of a machine.

entrails

/ ˈɛntreɪlz /

plural noun

1. the internal organs of a person or animal; intestines; guts
2. the innermost parts of anything

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrails¹

1250–1300; Middle English entrailles < Anglo-French, Middle French < Vulgar Latin *interālia (compare early Medieval Latin intrālia ), alteration, by suffix change ( -al ¹ ), of Latin interānea guts, neuter plural of interāneus; see inter-, -an, -eous

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrails¹

C13: from Old French entrailles, from Medieval Latin intrālia, changed from Latin interānea intestines, ultimately from inter between

Example Sentences

The word lends a technical remove to a grisly concept unless you love food and haven’t seen the gore and entrails served up rare and glistening throughout the previous episode.

From Salon

We hear cracking bones, see a pile of entrails, watch Sue suture Elisabeth’s back, and get an uncomfortable close-up of Harvey frenetically masticating beady-eyed shrimp.

From Salon

Old ones, too: When Napoleon’s pony gets hit by a cannonball head-on, the exploding entrails suggest an “Alien” chestburster homage.

From Los Angeles Times

At Site Zero, the roar of the machines is deafening as conveyor belts carry 40 tons per hour of mixed plastic waste through the entrails of the factory.

From Seattle Times

The entrails of a nearby building were on show.

From BBC

Related Words

• insides