black bile

noun

: the one of the four humors (see humor entry 1 sense 2c) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be cold and dry and to cause melancholy and cowardice

Examples of black bile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hippocrates was guided in his thinking by the theory of humoral medicine, which posited that there are four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), which must be balanced for good health. Nina Elkadi, JSTOR Daily, 2 Oct. 2024 Samantha barfs up some black bile, and Zoe’s sycophants eat her skin at a dinner party in a bit that briefly frames her as a Christ figure but doesn’t go anywhere. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024 The theory contends that four fluids — blood, choler (yellow bile), phlegm and black bile — make up the body and must maintain balance for good health. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023 After all, black bile, it was believed, caused not only sadness, but also lovesickness, irrational behavior, and uncontrolled physical impulses. Mina Seçkin, refinery29.com, 16 Nov. 2021 See all Example Sentences for black bile 

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black bile was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near black bile

Cite this Entry

“Black bile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bile. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

black bile

noun
: the one of the four humors (see humor sense 2) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be cold and dry and to cause melancholy and cowardice

More from Merriam-Webster on black bile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!