undigested

Everyday

1. (of food) Not broken down by the body yet, or not broken down at all. tree →
2. (of facts or ideas) Not thought about or understood properly yet. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the digestive system: some food, like corn skins and fibre, can pass through undigested. In school, «undigested facts» are learned by heart without understanding. Tells the reader something has not been processed.

Examples

• Some seeds pass through birds undigested and grow into new plants. tree →
• Fibre leaves the body mostly undigested, but it is still good for you. tree →
• The owl coughed up a pellet of undigested fur and bones. tree →
• He crammed the facts the night before, and they stayed undigested. tree →
• Swimming straight after a big meal with food still undigested can feel uncomfortable. tree →
• The report was full of undigested numbers. tree →

Note

Takes «an». Digestion = breaking food into tiny parts the body can use. The old myth that you must wait an hour after eating to swim is not a firm rule; you may just feel uncomfortable.