digestion

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The process, in the gastrointestinal tract, by which food is converted into substances that can be used by the body.

   “In the dead state all is apparently without motion. No agent within indicates design, intelligence, or foresight: there is no respiration; no digestion, circulation, or nutrition; […]”

   “As for Grierson, he poured liquor into himself as if it were so much soothing syrup, demonstrating that a good digestion is the highest form of good conscience.”

   “Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.”

2. (countable, uncountable)The result of this process.
3. (countable, uncountable)The ability to use this process.
4. (countable, uncountable)The processing of decay in organic matter assisted by microorganisms.
5. (countable, uncountable)The assimilation and understanding of ideas.
6. (archaic, countable, uncountable)Generation of pus; suppuration.
7. (countable, uncountable)Dissolution of a sample into a solution by means of adding acid and heat.