English

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Etymology

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From Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin ōrificium (an opening, literally the making of a mouth), compound of ōs (mouth) + faciō (to make).

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɒɹɪfɪs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɔɹəfɪs/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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orifice (plural orifices)

  1. A mouth or aperture, such as of a tube, pipe, etc.; an opening.
    the orifice of an artery or vein; the orifice of a wound; the vagina and other orifices
  2. (slang, derogatory) A stupid or objectionable person.
    • 2016, Niels Saunders, Mervyn Vs. Dennis:
      “Peanuts aren't nuts, you orifice. They're legumes.”

Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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  • (stupid or objectionable person): Tony Thorne (2014) “orifice”, in Dictionary of Contemporary Slang, 4th edition, London,  []: Bloomsbury

French

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Etymology

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From Late Latin ōrificium.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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orifice m (plural orifices)

  1. orifice

Further reading

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