Disgorge

/dɪsˈɡɔːrdʒ/ verb

Definition

To vomit or eject something from the mouth or throat; to pour out or give up something unwillingly.

Etymology

From Old French desgorger, from des- (dis-) + gorger (to gorge, from gorge meaning throat). The Latin root gula means throat. Originally literal (vomit), evolved to mean forced surrender of something valuable.

Kelly Says

Pirates and gangsters 'disgorge' stolen goods when forced to pay up, but the word originally described actual vomiting—watching how words travel from gross physical acts to metaphorical power plays shows how language constantly reinvents itself.

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