fart
UK[fɑːt]US[fɑːrt]
v
To release gas from the intestines through the anus.
n
An act or sound of releasing gas from the intestines.
Etymology
The word 'fart' has a robust and ancient lineage, tracing back to the Proto-Germanic verb fertaną, which itself is thought to be onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of flatulence. It is cognate with words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German ferzan and Old Norse freta. This direct, sound-based origin evolved into the modern English verb and noun, retaining its core meaning and informal, often vulgar, register throughout its history. Its persistence demonstrates the stability of certain basic, bodily vocabulary within a language family.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. The Old English verb feortan is believed to be of imitative origin, meaning the word was formed to imitate the sound it describes.
Examples
The child giggled after he accidentally farted.
He tried to suppress a fart during the silent meeting.
Foods like beans can make some people fart more frequently.