From HomoExcelsior

1. Either one of a pair of organs in the dorsal region of the vertebrate abdominal cavity, functioning to maintain proper water and electrolyte balance, regulate acid-base concentration, and filter the blood of metabolic wastes, which are then excreted as urine. 2. The kidney of certain animals, eaten as food. 3. An excretory organ of certain invertebrates. 4. Kind; sort.

---