adjective
choleric
Relating to yellow bile in old medical theory.
The old medical text describes a choleric temperament associated with yellow bile.
Etymology
The Greek root names bile. This historical medical use relates directly to yellow bile as a bodily humor, rather than the later description of an angry temperament.
More examples
- The physician applied choleric theory to the patient's symptoms.
- A historical chart labels one humor choleric.
- Students compare choleric and melancholic categories in ancient medicine.
Forms
choleric
Similar words
- bilious
- Bilious also relates to bile but has broader medical and figurative uses outside the old temperament classification.