ENGLISH
REFERENCE

orifice

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɔɹəfəs// UK //ˈɒɹɪfɪs// ori·fice Slang Vulgar

n. a hole or opening in a body or object. In casual talk, it often refers to a specific part of the body, but this is usually considered rude.

n. an opening or aperture in a body or object. While technically neutral, the term is frequently used in vulgar or anatomical contexts to refer to specific bodily openings.


SIMPLE

The doctor checked the patient's nasal orifice for blockage.

CONTEXTUAL

The technician adjusted the size of the exhaust orifice to improve the engine's performance.

COMPLEX

In biological terms, the organism's primary orifice serves as the central hub for both nutrient intake and waste expulsion, demonstrating a high degree of evolutionary efficiency.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin ōrificium (“an opening, literally the making of a mouth”), compound of ōs (“mouth”) + faciō (“to make”).

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