eructation
(ˌiːrʌkˈteɪʃən)
Also 6 eructuacyon.
[ad. L. ēructātiōn-em, n. of action f. ēructāre: see eruct.]
1. The action of voiding wind from the stomach through the mouth; belching.
| 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 41 b, The savour of his meate by eructation ascendeth. 1542 Boorde Dyetary viii. (1870) 247 Lest that the meate which is in your stomacke, thorow eructuacyons..ascend. 1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 71 Ginger..preventeth sowre eructation. 1699 Evelyn Acetaria 17 Cabbage..is greatly accus'd for lying undigested in the Stomack and provoking Eructations. 1847 Youatt Horse xiv. 300 The animal has no power to expel this dangerous flatus by eructation. 1869 E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 67 Dyspepsia..attended with..enormous eructations after meals. |
† b. fig. Obs.
| 1647 H. More Poems 235 Oft the soul lets flie Such unexpected eructations. 1683 Argt. for Union 22 They have Mental Prayer, and..Spiritual Eructations. |
2. The eruptive action of a volcano; violent emission (of flames, etc.). Also fig.
| 1652 J. Hall Height Eloq. 65 The ætna, whose eructations throw whole stones from its depths. 1678 Marvell Def. John Howe Wks. (1875) IV. 234 But a perpetual eructation there is of humane passions. 1692 Ray Phys. Theol. Disc. (1713) 19 The mountain ætna, at the last Eructation..disgorged..a Flood of melted Materials. 1783 Phil. Trans. LXXIII. 161 The eructation of elastic vapour from below. 1862 G. P. Scrope Volcanoes 24 The column of ashes projected becomes gradually shorter, the eructations less frequent. |
3. concr. That which is belched forth. Also fig.
| 1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. i. iii. 161 What is it else, but an eructation of the minde? 1664 Power Exp. Philos. iii. 155 The grosser Steams..are the fuliginous Eructations of that internal Fire which constantly burns within us. 1701 tr. Le Clerc's Prim. Fathers 104 One (Philogonius Bishop of Antioch) said, ‘That the Son was an Eructation’. |