bezoar

noun

be·​zoar ˈbē-ˌzȯr How to pronounce bezoar (audio)
: any of various calculi found chiefly in the gastrointestinal organs and formerly believed to possess magical properties

called also bezoar stone

Examples of bezoar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Treatment of bezoars involves dissolving or removing the bezoar through various techniques. Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024 Sometimes, the delay caused by it can also allow food to clump together into a solid mass known as a bezoar, which can obstruct the stomach and block anything from reaching the small intestine—a potentially life-threatening complication. Ed Cara/ Gizmodo, Quartz, 21 May 2024 Gender, symptom duration, size of bezoar and method of cola administration were not significantly different between the two groups. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2013 The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate how an obstructing bezoar caused an appendicitis-like syndrome in a patient with negative CT scan and clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2017 The pendant is backed with an Indian bezoar stone, famous in Europe for its healing properties. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022 The wild ancestor of today’s domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), the bezoar (C. aegagrus), was their primary prey. Michael Price, Science | AAAS, 7 June 2021 Early modern royals acquired exotic natural artifacts such as bezoars—digestive stones produced in the intestines of large ruminants and believed to possess healing qualities. Andrew Katzenstein, The New York Review of Books, 25 Nov. 2019 No scientific evidence exists for any curative properties of bezoars. Peter Yeung, National Geographic, 22 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic dialect bezuwār, from Arabic bāzahr, from Persian pād-zahr, from pād protecting (against) + zahr poison

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bezoar was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near bezoar

Cite this Entry

“Bezoar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bezoar. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

bezoar

noun
: any of various calculi found in the gastrointestinal organs especially of ruminants

called also bezoar stone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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