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Glite Dictionary
digestive fluid

digestive fluid

3.8
A liquid the body makes that helps break down food
  • noun
  • /dɪˈdʒɛstɪv fluːɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : líquido digestivo
  • Without enough digestive fluid, the body struggles to absorb essential vitamins.

Examples

  • The pancreas secretes a digestive fluid containing enzymes that break down proteins.

  • Doctors analyzed the patient's digestive fluid to diagnose his stomach problems.

  • Bile is an important digestive fluid produced by the liver to help digest fats.

  • The digestive fluid in the stomach is essential for breaking down food.

  • Many animals produce digestive fluids to aid in digestion.

  • The stomach produces digestive fluid that helps break down food into nutrients.

  • The doctor explained how digestive fluids work to break down complex carbohydrates.

Synonyms

digestive juice
vsdigestive fluid
  • Specialized
1 3.4

The stomach and other parts make a liquid that helps break food into smaller parts

is more general, focusing on body production not gland origin
digestive
vsdigestive fluid
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A substance that helps the body break down food

is specifically a body-made liquid rather than any substance that aids food breakdown
gastric juice
vsdigestive fluid
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A liquid in the stomach that helps break down food

is the general body liquid used for breaking down food throughout the gut
gastric acid
vsdigestive fluid
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A strong liquid in the stomach that helps break down food

is the general body liquid, not emphasising strong stomach chemicals
intestinal juice
vsdigestive fluid
  • Specialized
4.8

A fluid the gut makes that has chemicals to help break down food

is the general body liquid not limited to one gut region

Surface Forms

digestive fluid singular
digestive fluids plural

Morphology

digestive + fluid

The meaning 'a liquid produced by the body that helps to break down food' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'digestive' (relating to digestion) with 'fluid' (a flowing liquid). This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase and similar constructions exist across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Digestive fluid comes from the simple image of a fluid in the body that is digestive, because it 'helps break down' food. So it means a liquid the body makes to digest food.