noun
orifice
O-rih-fihs
noun
1
An opening, especially one in the body or in a pipe or tube.
"The surgeon examined the wound near the nasal orifice."
"Water sprays out through a small orifice in the nozzle."
How to Use Orifice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, somewhat clinical word for an opening or hole, often used for body openings.
When to use it
Fairly clinical/technical in tone — in everyday speech people usually say "opening" or name the specific body part instead.
Word Forms
orifices plural
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The surgeon examined the wound near the nasal _____.
Etymology
From Latin orificium, literally "the making of a mouth," combining os ("mouth") and facere ("to make").