sphincter

Meanings

Plural: sphincteres, sphincters

Noun

a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
A ringlike band of muscle that surrounds a bodily opening (such as the anus or the openings of the stomach), constricting and relaxing as required for normal physiological functioning.

Origin / Etymology

Etymology tree
Late Latin sphinctērlbor.
English sphincter
Learned borrowing from Late Latin sphinctēr (“the muscle of the anus”), from Ancient Greek σφῐγκτήρ (sphĭnktḗr, “lace, band; contractile muscle”), ultimately of Pre-Greek origin. Possibly related to sphinx (“the strangler”).

Synonyms

anatomical sphincter, sphincter muscle

Scrabble Score: 16

sphincter is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
sphincter is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
sphincter is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

sphincter is a valid Words With Friends word