Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: melancholy
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness and melancholy
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: melancholy
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: liquid body substance, bodily fluid, body fluid, humor, humour
History
Calque of Latin ātra bīlis, itself a calque of Ancient Greek μελαγχολία (melankholía).
Across languages
26 source translations are retained for this English entry.
