Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

defecate

/ˈdɛfɪkeɪt/ verb

In Latin: defaeco, cuniō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about defecate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To excrete feces from one's bowels.
To pass (something) as excrement; to purge. To clean (something) of dregs, impurities, etc.; to purify.
To pass (something) as excrement; to purge.

adjective

Freed from pollutants, dregs, lees, etc.; refined; purified.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin dēfaecātus, the perfect passive participle of dēfaecō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). See also faeces; cognate with French déféquer.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word