bile
UK: baɪl | US: baɪl
n. 1. A bitter, yellowish-green fluid secreted by the liver, aiding in digestion.
n. 2. (Figuratively) Anger, irritability, or bitterness in temperament.
The word "bile" traces back to Latin bilis, meaning "gall" or "digestive fluid." It entered Middle English via Old French. The figurative sense of "anger" (16th century) stems from the ancient belief that bodily humors (like bile) influenced temperament—excess bile was thought to cause irritability. The spelling and core meaning have remained remarkably stable over centuries.
The liver produces bile to help break down fats during digestion.
His criticism was full of bile, leaving everyone unsettled.
In medieval medicine, an imbalance of bile was believed to cause melancholy.
She couldn’t hide the bile in her voice when speaking about her rival.
The surgeon noted an obstruction in the bile duct during the operation.