Black bile

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    One of the four humours of ancient and mediaeval physiology, that was believed to be secreted by the kidneys and spleen and to cause melancholy and sadness when present in excess. historical, uncountable

    "But these various pursuits did not banish all her cares, or carry off all her constitutional black bile."

  2. 2
    a humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness and melancholy wordnet

Etymology

Calque of Latin ātra bīlis, itself a calque of Ancient Greek μελαγχολία (melankholía).

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