digest /dijest′, dijest′, dī′jəst,/ [L, digerere, to break down] , 1. v., to soften by heat and moisture. 2. v., to break into smaller parts and simpler compounds by mastication, hydrolysis, and action of intestinal secretions and enzymes, especially in the way the body digests food for the absorption of nutrients required in metabolism. The small intestine digests food by enzymatic actions that produce absorbable amino acids, emulsified fat particles, and monosaccharides. 3. n., any material that results from digestion or hydrolysis.
