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Meaning of black bile | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2

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

العربية سوداء
Deutsch schwarze Galle
Español atrabilis bilis negra
فارسی سودا
Suomi musta sappi
Français atrabile bile noire mélancolie
Gaeilge lionn dubh
Italiano atrabile bile nera collera umor nero
Latina atra bilis
Nederlands zwarte gal
Português bile negra bílis negra
Русский чёрная желчь
Türkçe sevda

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

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

black bindweed black birch black birch tree black bitch black bloc black body

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