Bile

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -aɪl

Mid 16th century, via French, from Latin bīlis ("bile").

Full definition of bile

Noun

1. (biochemistry) A bitter brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow secretion produced by the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and discharged into the duodenum where it aids the process of digestion.
2. bitterness of temper; ill humour; irascibility.
3. Two of the four humours, black bile or yellow bile, in ancient and medieval physiology.
• 1890, Walter Scott, The Journal of Sir Walter Scott Chapter , I shall tire of my Journal if it is to contain nothing but biles and plasters and unguents.
• 1616, Alexander Roberts, A Treatise of Witchcraft Chapter , He spake out of the Pythonesse, Act. 16. 17. brought downe fire from heauen, and consumed Iobs sheepe 7000. and his seruants, raised a storme, strooke the house wherein his sonnes and daughters feasted with their elder brother, smote the foure corners of it, with the ruine whereof they all were destroyed, and perished: and ouerspread the body of that holy Saint their father with botchest and biles from the sole of his foot to the crowne of his head.

Synonyms

• gall

Derived terms

• bile duct
• biliary
• biliary tract
• bilirubin
• bilious
• atrabilious
• black bile
• yellow bile

Akin to Dutch buil and German Beule.

Noun

1. (obsolete) A boil (kind of swelling).