Etymograph

English

rectum

Rectum comes from Latin rectus ‘straight’, and goes back to Proto-Italic *rektos.

  1. Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*rektosreconstructed
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEregō‘to keep or lead straight, to guide’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CErectus‘straight’
  4. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CErectum intestinumliterally ‘the straight intestine’neuter of rectus
  5. New Latinc. 1500–1900rectumclipping of rectum intestinum
  6. Englishearliest quotation 2012same form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*rektosreconstructed
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEregō‘to keep or lead straight, to guide’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CErectus‘straight’
  4. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CErectum intestinumliterally ‘the straight intestine’neuter of rectus
  5. New Latinc. 1500–1900rectumclipping of rectum intestinum
  6. Englishearliest quotation 2012same form

Earliest quotation: 2012, Jacque Wilson, Experts: Alcohol enemas ‘extremely dangerous’: “Using an alcohol enema involves placing a small tube…”

The story

Borrowed from New Latin rectum, clipping of Latin rectum intestinum (literally “the straight intestine”), rectum, neuter of rectus (‘straight’).

Linked words

through Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- ‘to straighten, direct’

real, rich, royal, regular, regional, rank, arrangement, roy, radar, resource, correct, arrange, rack, ana, rogue, ruler, righteous, upright, regiment, rightly, interrogation, raj, rex, rake, rightful, directory, regal, regimen, regency, rani, anorexia, rajah, rector, rhesus, eldritch, rightness, erectile, riel, aright, dirigible, 74 more

through Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵtós ‘having moved in a straight line’

right, 6 more

through Latin regō ‘to keep or lead straight, to guide’

source, rule, region, director, dress, direction, direct, regime, realm, regulate, resurrection, regent, erect, insurrection, incorrigible, droit, régime, irregularity, dirge, regula, corregidor, regio, derecho, 45 more

through Latin rectus ‘straight’

address, dresser, undress, dressage, rectify, rectification, rectitude, recto, 5 more

Today it means

noun The terminal part of the large intestine through which feces pass after exiting the colon, but before leaving the body through the anus or cloaca.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Proto-Italic *rektos / rectum

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