Word of the Day

: February 21, 2008

jaundiced

adjective JAWN-dist

What It Means

1 : affected with or as if with a disease characterized by yellow pigmentation of the skin

2 : exhibiting or influenced by envy, distaste, or hostility

jaundiced in Context

"Since I tend to have a jaundiced view toward marriage in general," said George, "I'm not the guy you should be asking for wedding tips."

Did You Know?

The adjective "jaundiced," which was introduced into English in the mid-17th century, is the direct result of the older noun "jaundice." The physical condition called jaundice involves a yellowish coloring of the skin, tissues, and body fluids caused by the presence of coloring matter from bile. In ages past, people believed that a hostile, irritable temperament indicated an excess of bile in one's body. This belief not only led to the extended use of "jaundiced," but it also resulted in a similar use of the adjective "bilious," which can mean either "ill-tempered" or "marked by or suffering from liver dysfunction and especially excessive secretion of bile."