HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
Back to search

black bile

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

10 more languages
العربيةسوداء
فارسیسودا
Gaeilgelionn dubh
Nederlandszwarte gal
Türkçesevda

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

Learn this word in context

See black bile used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course

Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free