Meaning of black bile | Babel Free

Definitions

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

Equivalents

Examples

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

“The problem with treating cancer surgically, Galen suggested, was that black bile was everywhere, as inevitable and pervasive as any fluid.”

CEFR level