Sphincter
/ˈsfɪŋk.tər/noun
A ringlike muscle that constricts an opening in the body.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek sphínktēr, from sphíngein, meaning “to bind, squeeze, or tighten,” which is why it’s literally a muscle of closing and control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sphengʰ-
“to bind, squeeze, or tighten”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σφίγγω (sphíngō)
“I squeeze, bind, or tighten”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σφιγκτήρ (sphinktḗr)
“a constrictor; something that squeezes shut”
Late Latin
Latin
sphincter
“a constricting muscle or band”
Modern English
English
sphincter
“a ringlike muscle that closes an opening in the body”
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