emunctory, a. and n. Phys.
(ɪˈmʌŋktərɪ)
[ad. mod.L. ēmunctōri-us excretory, ēmunctōr-ium a means of cleansing by excretion (in classical L. used for ‘a pair of snuffers’), f. ēmungĕre: see prec.]
A. adj. a. Of or pertaining to the blowing of the nose. b. That has the function of conveying waste matters from the body.
| 1547 Boorde Brev. Health ccxliv. 83 The nosethrylles be the emunctorye places of the brayne. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Musk, It apparently filtrates thro' the emunctory Glands. 1858 Polson Law & L. 160 He found a sufficient substitute in his emunctory powers. 1864 E. B. Eastwick Resid. Persia I. 11 There was nothing but coughing, sternutation and emunctory movements for the next half hour. |
B. n. ‘A cleansing organ or canal; a term applied to the excretory ducts and organs of the body’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.) Also fig.
| [1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. Gloss., Emunctoria ben the clensyng places, as the flanckes, the armeholes, etc.] 1601 Holland Pliny Gloss., Emunctories be those kernelly places in the body, by which the principall and noble parts doe void their superfluities. 1651 Biggs New Disp. 172 ¶234 God hath ordained sufficient Emunctories for any filth whatsoever. 1767 Sterne Tr. Shandy ix. xx, Blow your noses,—cleanse your emunctories,—sneeze, my good people. 1821 New Monthly Mag. I. 440 The nose is the emunctory of the brain. 1854 Bushnan in Circ. Sc. II. 21/2 A third great emunctory has to be added; namely, the kidney. |