Disgorge Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคข
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disgorge

[dษชsหˆษกษ”หdส’ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

vomit

To disgorge means to bring up and expel the contents of the stomach through the mouth. It is often associated with a sudden and forceful action, similar to vomiting.

Synonyms

regurgitate, spew, vomit.

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Word Description / Examples
disgorge

This term is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the act of expelling something with force from an enclosed space. It can refer to something other than bodily fluids, such as water from a dam or lava from a volcano.

  • The river disgorged its murky water into the sea.
  • The volcano disgorged ash and lava.
vomit

This is the most common and straightforward term for throwing up. It is often used in everyday conversation and includes a literal sense of expelling stomach contents.

  • He felt sick and vomited after eating spoiled food.
  • She couldn't stop vomiting all night.
regurgitate

This word is used in both medical and non-medical contexts. Medically, it refers to the act of food coming back up from the stomach. In non-medical contexts, it can mean repeating information without understanding it, often in a negative sense.

  • The baby regurgitated some milk after feeding.
  • He regurgitated the information he read in the book without any understanding.
spew

Spew generally has a forceful and often negative connotation. It can refer to emitting something in large quantities, like smoke or words, as well as vomiting.

  • The factory spewed toxic fumes into the air.
  • He spewed hateful comments during the argument.

Examples of usage

  • The smell was so bad that it made him disgorge his breakfast.
  • The rough boat ride caused her to disgorge the contents of her stomach.
Context #2 | Verb

release

To disgorge can also mean to surrender or give up something, especially money or possessions, often as a result of pressure or legal action.

Synonyms

relinquish, surrender, yield.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disgorge

Can also mean to give up something reluctantly or forcibly, often related to finances or possessions.

  • The corrupt official was forced to disgorge his illicit earnings.
surrender

Used when formally giving up something to someone else's control, often in a situation involving conflict or competition. It can also imply a sense of defeat or submission.

  • The army was forced to surrender after being surrounded by enemy forces.
  • He decided to surrender his badge after the incident.
relinquish

Appropriate for situations where someone voluntarily gives up control, power, or possession of something.

  • She decided to relinquish her seat on the board to focus on other projects.
  • After years of service, he finally relinquished his role as team captain.
yield

Usually used when someone gives way to another, accommodating or conceding, often without conflict. Can also refer to producing a result or outcome.

  • He had to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.
  • The research yielded promising results.

Examples of usage

  • The corrupt official was forced to disgorge the illegal profits he had made.
  • The company was ordered to disgorge millions of dollars in profits.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Science

  • In cooking, to 'disgorge' often refers to draining excess liquids from foods such as salted vegetables or pickles before they are used in recipes.
  • Chefs might use the term when referring to extracting the juices from a cooked dish to enhance flavor.
  • In winemaking, disgorging is a process where sediment is removed from sparkling wine, ensuring clarity and better taste.

Medical Contexts

  • In medicine, to disgorge can refer to the act of vomiting, especially when expelling harmful substances.
  • The term is sometimes used in the context of emergency treatments for poisoning, where the aim is to remove toxins from the stomach.
  • Medical professionals may discuss the importance of monitoring patients who have disgorged food or drink due to underlying health issues.

Environmental Science

  • Disgorging can also describe how some animals, like birds, expel food they have eaten, which can aid in seed dispersal.
  • In ecology, the term might be applied to describe how certain species regurgitate materials that impact their environment.
  • Researchers sometimes use disgorge to discuss the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem after an animal consumes a plant.

Cultural References

  • In literature, the act of disgorging can symbolize a release of emotions or truths, often leading to significant character development.
  • Artists sometimes depict disgorging as a visual metaphor for transformation or cleansing in their works.
  • The concept appears in various cultures as a ritual or practice to purge negative energies or thoughts from oneself.

Origin of 'disgorge'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'desgorger', which means to 'unblock' or 'release'.
  • The prefix 'dis-' suggests removal or reversal, while 'gorge' is linked to 'gorging', or eating too much.
  • The term has been used in various contexts, including medicine and culinary practices, to describe the act of expelling.

The word 'disgorge' originated from the Old French word 'desgorger', which meant 'to pour out'. It first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to include both the physical act of vomiting and the metaphorical act of releasing or surrendering something.


See also: gorgeous.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,420 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.