Etymology

rectum

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Today it means: The terminal part of the large intestine through which feces pass after exiting the colon, but before leaving the body through the anus or cloaca. Full definition →

New Latin rectum ← Latin rectum intestinum
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The story

  1. Latin · derived fromrectum intestinum
  2. New Latin · borrowed fromrectum
  3. English todayrectum

Borrowed from New Latin rectum, clipping of Latin rectum intestinum (literally “the straight intestine”), rectum, neuter of rectus (“straight”). See right.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.