noun
colic
KAH-lik/ˈkɑːlɪk/
Severe abdominal pain, especially in infants or horses.
The horse shows signs of colic as it turns toward its painful belly.
Etymology
The pieces mean “pertaining to the lower intestine.” English first used the word as an adjective meaning “affecting the colon,” then as a name for severe spasmodic abdominal pain.
In context
she had colic and she cried and cried and cried first thing I did being a physician myself was take her to the pediatrician
More examples
- The veterinarian checks the restless horse for signs of colic.
- Their newborn's colic makes evenings difficult for the whole family.
- Kidney stones can cause a painful episode of renal colic.
Forms
colic
colicky adjective — Affected by or associated with colic.
Similar words
- cramp
- A sudden muscle contraction, not necessarily severe or abdominal.
- stomachache
- General stomach pain, often milder and less specific than colic.