Word
fecal
Phoneticsfe·cal
/ˈfikəɫ/
UK spelling · faecal
Definition
adj. relating to solid waste that leaves the body after food is digested. It is a medical or scientific word for things connected to poop.
adj. relating to, consisting of, or contained in feces. Typically used in medical, biological, or forensic contexts to describe waste matter or contamination.
Examples
“The doctor requested a fecal sample for the lab test.”
“The city issued a warning after high levels of fecal bacteria were discovered in the local river after the storm.”
“Environmental scientists use fecal markers to track the migration patterns of elusive mammals without needing to capture or disturb the animals in their natural habitat.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor requested a fecal sample for the lab test.”
contextual
“The city issued a warning after high levels of fecal bacteria were discovered in the local river after the storm.”
complex
“Environmental scientists use fecal markers to track the migration patterns of elusive mammals without needing to capture or disturb the animals in their natural habitat.”
Usage
Typically used in technical or clinical contexts; precedes the noun it modifies.
Pitfall
the fecal of the animal
the feces of the animal
Fecal is an adjective and must modify a noun; the noun form for the waste itself is feces.
Real-World Examples
“Wietrzyk won the fitness race but not before using communal equipment with faecal matter visibly running down her legs – and muddying Hyrox’s reputation.” “Alternatively, fecal samples can be collected before and after a stressful event.” Etymology
From Middle French fecal, from Latin faex, equivalent to feces + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.