peristalsis

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

peristalsis
    n 1: the process of wavelike muscle contractions of the
         alimentary tract that moves food along [syn: {peristalsis},
         {vermiculation}] [ant: {anastalsis}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Peristalsis \Per`i*stal"sis\, n. [NL. See {Peristaltic}.]
   (Physiol.)
   Peristaltic contraction or action.
   [1913 Webster]

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