purtenance

[ pur-tn-uhns ]

noun

1. the liver, heart, and lungs of an animal.

purtenance

/ ˈpɜːtɪnəns /

noun

1. archaic.
   the inner organs, viscera

Word History and Origins

Origin of purtenance¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English purtenaunce, purtenans, shortening of appurtenance

Word History and Origins

Origin of purtenance¹

C14: from Old French pertinance something that belongs; see appurtenance

Example Sentences

"The garden is best to be square," was Lord Bacon's rule; "the form that men like in general is a square, though roundness be forma perfectissima," was Lawson's rule; and this form was chosen because the garden was considered to be a purtenance and continuation of the house, designed so as strictly to harmonize with the architecture of the building.

From Project Gutenberg

Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

From Project Gutenberg