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sphincter

Syllabification: (sphinc·ter)
Pronunciation: /ˈsfiNGktər/

Definition of sphincter

noun

Anatomy
  • a ring of muscle surrounding and serving to guard or close an opening or tube, such as the anus or the openings of the stomach.

Derivatives

sphincteral

Pronunciation: /-əl/

adjective

sphincteric

Pronunciation: /ˌsfiNGkˈterik/

adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: via Latin from Greek sphinktēr, from sphingein 'bind tight'

sphincter in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sphincter in the British & World English dictionary

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