noun / verb
jaundice
JAWN-dis/ˈdʒɔːndɪs/
A yellow discoloration caused by excess bilirubin.
The man's yellow skin and eye whites show signs of jaundice.
Etymology
Jaunice meant “yellowness”: the condition is named for its visible effect on the skin and eyes. The medical meaning narrows that color description to yellowing caused by bile pigments.
In context
jaundice involves someone taking on yellow pigments, specifically in the skin and eyes. The yellowing pigment is caused by a compound called bilirubin
More examples
- The newborn receives light therapy to treat her jaundice.
- Her skin looks jaundiced, so the doctor checks her bilirubin level.
- His jaundice fades as his bilirubin level returns to normal.
Forms
jaundice · jaundices · jaundiced · jaundicing
Similar words
- yellowing
- Describes any change to yellow, not specifically excess bilirubin.