colic

1 of 3

noun

col·​ic ˈkä-lik 

1

: an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting

2

: a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usually subsides after three to four months of age

colic

2 of 3

adjective (1)

: of or relating to colic : colicky

colic crying

colic

3 of 3

adjective (2)

co·​lic ˈkō-lik  ˈkä- 

: of or relating to the colon

colic lymph nodes

Examples of colic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The intermittent pain, called renal colic, is caused by spasms as the walls of the renal pelvis are stretched.5 The pain may be dull, like a back strain, or intense, like a kidney punch. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

But Lady, kept at a cheap stable in Weehawken, died of colic. —Victor Lodato, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024

Adjective

Unlike other anti-colic bottle systems — which come with loads of parts — there's less to wash. —Staff Author, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022

Companies often suggest that common infant adaptations such as fussiness, colic or short nighttime sleep duration are signs of breastfeeding issues that formula can fix. —Janelle Chavez, CNN, 7 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Medieval Latin colica (passio) intestinal (suffering), from Late Latin colicus of the colon, colicky, from Greek kōlikos, from kōlon, alteration of kolon colon

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colic

• painter's colic

Kids Definition

colic

noun

col·​ic

ˈkäl-ik

1

: sharp sudden pain in the abdomen

2

: a condition marked by periods of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant

colicky

-i-kē

adjective

Medical Definition

colic

1 of 3 noun

col·​ic ˈkäl-ik 

1

: an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ or part (as the small intestine, ureter, or bile duct) and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting

2

: a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usually subsides after three to four months of age

colic

2 of 3 adjective

: of or relating to colic : colicky

colic crying

colic

3 of 3 adjective

co·​lic ˈkō-lik  ˈkäl-ik 

: of or relating to the colon

colic lymph nodes