rectal

Forms

rectal (feminine rectale, masculine plural rectaux, feminine plural rectales)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French rectum + -al.^[2][3][4] The base noun (about 1363) is from Latin rectum, the medical Latin name of the organ, short for a phrase with intestīnum (“intestine”), the organ being named for its straight shape.^[2][5][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Boiste records it in 1812 in the sense “relating to the rectum”.^[2][6][3]

Timeline

• c. 1363 – The noun rectum is first recorded, in Guy de Chauliac.^[2]
• 1812 – Boiste records rectal.^[2][6]
• 1833 – The related medical term rectite appears.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (anatomy, medicine) Of or relating to the rectum: veines rectales, température rectale, toucher rectal.^[7][6]
2. Ampoule rectale: the widened part of the rectum.^[7]

Related words

• rectum
• rectite

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert