# peristalsis

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌpɛɹɪˈstalsɪs/

## Definitions
1. The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.

## Etymology
From Ancient Greek δύναμις περισταλτική (dúnamis peristaltikḗ, “the action of the bowels by which their contents are propelled”), from περιστέλλω (peristéllō, “to wrap around”), from περι- (peri-, “around”) + στέλλω (stéllō, “to make ready, to prepare”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/peristalsis