Bilious: meaning, definitions and examples

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bilious

 

[ ˈbɪl.i.əs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

health condition

Bilious refers to a state of having an excess of bile, often leading to nausea or digestive issues. It can also describe a person’s temperament that is irritable or bad-tempered, implying a strong emotional reaction.

Synonyms

bile-related, cross, irritable, nauseous

Examples of usage

  • After the rich meal, he felt bilious and uncomfortable.
  • She had a bilious expression on her face during the argument.
  • The patient exhibited bilious symptoms and required immediate attention.

Etymology

The word 'bilious' has its origins in the late Middle English period, deriving from the Latin word 'biliosus', which means 'full of bile'. Bile is a digestive fluid produced in the liver, crucial for the emulsification and absorption of fats in the intestine. The term 'bilious' initially pertained to the physical condition resulting from excessive bile, which often caused symptoms like nausea and irritability. Over time, it evolved to describe not just the physical ailment but also a temperament that is easily provoked or irritable. This shift reflects how language adapts and broadens meanings based on societal and medical understandings of health and mood. The adaptation is also evident in literature where characters described as bilious often exhibit a sense of spleen or annoyance.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,259, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.