bowels

Etymology

noun

1. The deepest or innermost part.
   down in the bowels of the Earth
   The station was half deserted, half rowdy, several fellows were drunk, shouting and crowing. Down there in the bowels of London, after midnight, everything seemed horrible and unnatural. 1922, D. H. Lawrence, chapter 6, in Aaron’s Rod, London: Martin Secker, page 69
   Some say the plague was brought by Hattie There was talk of a hangin' too. But the talk got shackled by the howls and the cackles From the bowels of the Black bayou. 1973, “Swamp Witch”, in Jim Stafford (lyrics), Jim Stafford, performed by Jim Stafford
2. The concept or quality that defines something at its very core.
   the project's bowels
3. The intestines.
4. Compassion, sympathy.
   ‘If I gave in to you, Reynell,’ said Bligh quietly, so quietly they could not tell whether he felt any pity for the boy or not, ‘the same plea could be put forth by sixteen others in less than half an hour,’ and he dropped his chin on his breast again as if there the discussion ended. ‘I told you he had no bowels,’ said Ledward. 1930, Mary Gaunt, chapter 15, in Joan of the Pilchard
5. (obsolete) The body as the source of offspring.
   1751, Thomas Skinner, “A Sermon preach’d at the Ma’nor of Peace, in the County of Hampshire, on May the 9th, 1751” in Alfred Baylies Page, Reverend Grindall Rawson and his Ministry, 1907, p. 9, Had you been their natural Parents, and they the Children of your own Bowels, Methinks, you could not have Contributed much more Bountifully to their Assistance […]
   What do they whisper thee, Child of my bowels, Anselm? 1845, Robert Browning, “The Bishop Orders his Tomb at St. Praxed’s Church”, in Dramatic Romances and Lyrics, lines 63–64

noun

1. plural of bowel