autodigestive
|au-to-di-ges-tive|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtəˈdaɪdʒɛstɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtədaɪˈdʒɛstɪv/
self-digesting
Etymology
'autodigestive' is a modern formation combining Greek 'auto-' meaning 'self' and Latin-derived 'digestive' (from Latin 'digerere' meaning 'to separate' or 'to digest').
'auto-' comes from Greek 'autos' and 'digestive' comes via Latin 'digerere' → Late Latin 'digestivus' → English 'digest' + adjectival suffix; these elements were combined in modern English to form 'autodigestive'.
The compound originally and subsequently denotes processes or properties involving self-digestion; its technical sense has been preserved in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or causing autodigestion — the process by which an organism's own enzymes digest its tissues or substances.
During severe pancreatitis the pancreas may become autodigestive, damaging its own tissue.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/25 04:30