entrails

/ˈentreɪlz/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɛntrəlz] /ˈentreɪlz/ (ame, ipa)

entrails — noun

1. The soft inner parts of a living body — such as the stomach, intestines, and oth

1.名詞B2
釋義

The soft inner parts of a living body — such as the stomach, intestines, and other organs — that are seen when the creature is cut open or when they have been removed.

例句

During biology class, Stefan helped the teacher remove the chicken's entrails for the dissection.

collocation: [animal]'s entrails + remove for dissection

The hunter cleaned the deer and buried its entrails deep in the forest.

同義詞
  • guts

    more informal and common in everyday speech, especially for animals

  • innards

    informal; can also refer to the inside of a machine, like 'entrails' in sense 2

  • viscera

    formal medical term; more neutral than 'entrails' in scientific writing

  • bowels

    specifically the intestines, whereas 'entrails' includes other organs too

文法句型

the ~ of [animal/person]

[animal/person]'s ~

用法筆記

Frequently used with a possessive or 'the ~ of' structure. Unlike 'internal organs', 'entrails' strongly suggests that the organs have been removed or are visible outside the body.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor examined my entrails with an ultrasound.
✅The doctor examined my internal organs with an ultrasound.
💡'entrails' is normally used for organs that have been taken out of the body or are exposed, not for a routine medical check.
❌An entrail was found on the floor.
✅Entrails were found on the floor.
💡'entrails' is always plural; there is no singular form.

2. The hidden internal parts or processes of a system, piece of equipment, or organ

2.名詞C1
釋義

The hidden internal parts or processes of a system, piece of equipment, or organisation — for example, the wires inside a radio or the secret operations of a government.

例句

Otis opened the back of the old radio and stared at its dusty entrails of wires and circuits.

figurative use: the ~ of [machine]

A team of accountants spent weeks examining the entrails of the failed bank.

figurative: the entrails of a [failed organisation]

同義詞
  • inner workings

    neutral and common; no dramatic connotations

  • innards

    informal, commonly used for machines and devices

  • guts

    very informal; works for both machines and systems

文法句型

the ~ of [system/machine/organisation]

用法筆記

This figurative sense is used in formal or literary contexts. It often pairs with 'of' to show what system or object is being examined.

常見錯誤

❌I need to understand the entrails of this new phone.
✅I need to understand the insides of this new phone.
💡the figurative sense is too dramatic for everyday objects; use 'inner workings' or 'insides' for normal situations.