Dictionary Definition
orifice n : an aperture or hole opening into a
bodily cavity; "the orifice into the aorta from the lower left
chamber of the heart" [syn: opening, porta]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin orificium, compound of os, mouth + -ficium.Pronunciation
Noun
- A mouth or aperture, as of a tube, pipe, etc.; an opening; as, the orifice of an artery or vein; the orifice of a wound.
Translations
a mouth or aperture, as of a tube, pipe
Extensive Definition
An orifice is any opening, mouth, hole or vent, as of a pipe,
plate, or a body.
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
aperture, broaching, cavity, chasm, check, clearing, cleft, crack, disclosure, fenestra, fistula, fontanel, foramen, gap, gape, gat, gulf, hiatus, hole, hollow, inlet, interval, lacuna, laying open, leak, opening, opening up, outlet, passageway, pore, slot, space, split, stoma, throwing open, uncorking, unstopping, vent, yawn