undigested
|un-dig-est-ed|
/ˌʌn.dɪˈdʒes.tɪd/
not broken down or absorbed
Etymology
'undigested' originates from Old English prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') combined with 'digested', which ultimately comes from Latin 'dīgestus' (past participle of 'dīgerere'), where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'gerere' meant 'to carry or conduct'.
'undigested' formed in English by adding the negative prefix 'un-' to the past participle 'digested'. 'Digest' entered English via Late Latin/Old French from Latin 'dīgerere' → past participle 'dīgestus', then Middle English 'digesten/digest'. The prefix 'un-' (Old English 'un-') produced 'undigested'.
Initially related to arranging or carrying apart ('dīgerere' in Latin), the sense shifted to 'breaking down' (especially food). 'Undigested' therefore came to mean 'not broken down by digestion' and is now used both literally and figuratively (not mentally absorbed).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past participle form used as a verb form: the past participle of 'undigest' (rare) or the passive past participle of 'digest', meaning 'not digested'.
The food was left undigested due to a stomach disorder.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
not digested; not broken down by the digestive process (usually of food).
The patient complained of stomach pains after eating several pieces of undigested meat.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/29 03:55