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peristaltic

peristaltic


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Peristaltic  \Per`i*stal"tic\,  a.  [Gr.  ?  clasping  and 
  compressing,  fr  ?  to  surround,  wrap  up  ?  round  +  ?  to 
  place  arrange:  cf  F.  p['e]ristaltique.]  (Physiol.) 
  Applied  to  the  peculiar  wormlike  wave  motion  of  the 
  intestines  and  other  similar  structures,  produced  by  the 
  successive  contraction  of  the  muscular  fibers  of  their  walls, 
  forcing  their  contents  onwards;  as  peristaltic  movement.  -- 
  {Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly},  adv