noun
flatulence
FLACH-uh-luns/ˈflætʃələns/
Gas in the digestive system, often released from the body.
Eating beans sometimes causes flatulence as bacteria break them down.
Etymology
French flatulence names the condition of being flatulent. The underlying Latin image is blowing or breaking wind, connecting digestive gas with air moving out of the body.
In context
the bacteria that live in its Lumen of the large intestines metabolize some of the remaining nutrients releasing gases that contribute to the odor of feces and flatulence
More examples
- Some people experience flatulence after drinking milk.
- The doctor asks whether the flatulence comes with abdominal pain.
- Smaller portions help reduce her flatulence.
Forms
flatulent adjective — Having or producing excessive digestive gas.
Similar words
- gas
- The everyday term, also used for gases outside digestion.