Regurgitation: meaning, definitions and examples
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regurgitation
[rɪˌɡəːdʒɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n ]
Definitions
medical
The action of bringing swallowed food up into the mouth again; the expulsion of material from the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus, usually characterized by the presence of undigested food.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| regurgitation |
This term is often used in a medical or scientific context to describe the process of bringing swallowed material back up into the mouth without the forceful expulsion associated with vomiting.
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| vomiting |
Vomiting is the most common term and is generally used to describe the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It is used in both medical and everyday language.
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| spewing |
Spewing has a very negative connotation and is often used to describe forcefully expelling contents with strong emotion or in a messy, uncontrolled manner. It can be used both literally for vomiting and metaphorically.
|
| retching |
Retching describes the act of making the motions and sounds of vomiting without actually expelling anything. It is often used to describe the unpleasant sensation of dry-heaving.
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Examples of usage
- The doctor diagnosed the patient with acid reflux, which was causing regurgitation after meals.
- Regurgitation can be a symptom of various medical conditions.
biology
The process by which some birds and animals bring up food from the crop to feed their young.
Synonyms
bringing up, casting up.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| regurgitation |
Medical or scientific discussions, describing the act of bringing swallowed food back up.
|
| casting up |
Less common, possibly literary or poetic contexts, can have an archaic feel.
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| bringing up |
Casual conversations or when discussing the act of vomiting in a less formal way.
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Examples of usage
- The mother bird regurgitated the food to feed her chicks.
- Regurgitation is a common behavior in many bird species.
informal
The practice of repeating information without analyzing or understanding it.
Synonyms
parroting, recitation, repetition.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| regurgitation |
Typically used in a medical or biological situation to describe the act of bringing swallowed food back to the mouth. It can also be used metaphorically to describe repeating information without truly understanding it, often with a negative connotation.
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| repetition |
Used in both everyday and educational contexts to describe the act of repeating something. The word is neutral and can describe actions, words, or events.
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| parroting |
Used to describe the act of repeating someone else's words or ideas without understanding them. This term often implies a lack of originality and can be slightly derogatory.
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| recitation |
Commonly used in educational and formal settings to describe the act of reciting something from memory, such as poetry or factual information.
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Examples of usage
- The student's essay was full of regurgitation of facts without any original thought.
- Regurgitation of facts is not the same as true understanding.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term comes from the Latin 'regurgitare', which means 'to flow back' or 'to turn back'.
- The prefix 're-' means 'again', and 'gurgitare' relates to the act of swirling or flowing.
- Initially used in a medical context, it has expanded into various fields, including biology and psychology.
Biology
- In certain animals, like birds, regurgitation is a normal behavior to feed their young, where they bring up chewed food.
- Some reptiles, like snakes, can regurgitate prey that is too large to digest, often as a survival mechanism.
- Certain insects, such as ants, engage in regurgitation to share food among colony members, promoting social bonding.
Medical Science
- In human physiology, regurgitation can occur due to conditions like gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.
- It's important to differentiate between normal regurgitation and symptoms of more serious conditions that may require medical attention.
- Regurgitation can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia if food enters the lungs instead of the stomach.
Psychology
- In psychological contexts, regurgitation can refer to the repetition of previously learned information, often without comprehension.
- Educators sometimes see regurgitation as a sign of surface learning, where students memorize facts rather than understand concepts.
- Techniques like active learning aim to reduce cognitive regurgitation by promoting deeper engagement with the material.
Pop Culture
- Regurgitation has been featured in various comedy sketches and shows, often to create humor through absurdity.
- In literature, authors sometimes use the term metaphorically to describe characters or situations that seem to recycle ideas or behaviors.
- Some viral videos and social media trends humorously showcase animals engaging in regurgitation, evoking reactions from audiences.
Translations
Translations of the word "regurgitation" in other languages:
🇵🇹 regurgitação
🇮🇳 उल्टी
🇩🇪 Regurgitation
🇮🇩 regurgitasi
🇺🇦 регургітація
- відрижка
- зригування
🇵🇱 regurgitacja
🇯🇵 逆流
🇫🇷 régurgitation
🇪🇸 regurgitación
🇹🇷 regürjitasyon
🇰🇷 역류
🇸🇦 قلس
🇨🇿 regurgitace
🇸🇰 regurgitácia
🇨🇳 反刍
🇸🇮 regurgitacija
🇮🇸 uppköst
🇰🇿 регургитация
🇬🇪 რეგურგიტაცია
🇦🇿 regurgitasiya
🇲🇽 regurgitación