Definition

To remove the internal organs of a living creature, especially the intestines.

Example

The hunter had to embowel the deer before preparing it for cooking.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about that old movie where they embowel the monster?

Yeah, I remember it being really intense and graphic.

It's surprising how they used to show such scenes back then.

Totally! It definitely added to the shock factor.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Embowel is formed from "em-" (meaning to cause to be in) and "bowl" (from Old English "būgan", meaning to bend or curve). The word originally referred to the act of causing something to be inside a cavity or to remove the internal organs, as in the context of disemboweling.

Memory Tip

Think of 'causing to be inside' ('em-') and 'bending' or 'curving' ('bowl') to remember that 'embowel' refers to the act of removing internal organs.

Visually Confused Words