The forward internal structures or machinery of something, particularly inside a ship; a variant or archaic nautical term for forward compartments.
Compound: 'fore-' + 'bowels' (from Old French 'bouel,' intestine). Used metaphorically in nautical contexts to describe the internal forward sections, as 'bowels' often meant innermost parts.
Medieval writers loved calling the innermost or hidden parts of things 'bowels'—a ship's engine room, a cathedral's crypts, or a volcano's interior. It's a reminder that metaphorical language helps us understand new technology.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.