defecate

[/ˈdɛfɪkeɪt/]
verb
defecar
1. to discharge feces from the bowels through the anus
The doctor advised the patient to defecate regularly for better digestive health.
O médico aconselhou o paciente a defecar regularmente para melhor saúde digestiva.
2. to empty the bowels; to have a bowel movement
Infants typically defecate several times a day.
Os bebês tipicamente defecam várias vezes por dia.
In English-speaking medical contexts, 'defecate' is the formal, clinical term used by healthcare professionals. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'defecar' serves the same formal function, while 'cagar' is the colloquial equivalent used in everyday conversation. Both terms are acceptable depending on context—medical professionals use 'defecar,' while casual speech typically employs 'cagar.' This distinction between formal and informal registers is important in Portuguese communication etiquette.
NYC Slang
take a dump, take a crap, drop a load
Synonyms / Sinônimos
evacuatehave a bowel movementeliminateexcrete
Antonyms / Antônimos
constipateretain

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
defecar
Standard medical and formal term
Colloquial Brazilian Portuguese
cagar
Informal/vulgar term commonly used in everyday speech
Portugal
defecar
Standard medical term; 'cagar' also used colloquially
Medical/Scientific
defecar
Standard terminology in healthcare and scientific contexts across Portuguese-speaking regions

Related Words

fecesbowelexcretionconstipationdiarrheadigestive system

Related Idioms & Phrases

defecate under pressure (to perform under stressful circumstances)
scared the crap out of (frightened someone intensely)
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