bilious etymology

Etymology:

  • From Middle English bilious, from Late Latin biliōsus, from Latin bilis ("bile").

Meaning:

  • (of a person) having or caused by a disordered liver or excessive bile production.
  • (of a substance) bitter or acrid.
  • ill-humored or irritable.

Origin:

The word "bilious" comes from the Latin word "bilis," which means "bile." Bile is a thick, greenish-yellow fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It helps digest fats and is also involved in the absorption of vitamins and minerals.

In traditional medicine, bile was thought to be one of the four humors that determined a person's health and temperament. People who were thought to have too much bile were said to be bilious, and they were often described as being irritable and ill-tempered.

Today, the term "bilious" is still used to describe people who are ill-humored or irritable. It can also be used to describe substances that are bitter or acrid.

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