atra bilis

Etymology

From ātra the nominative feminine of āter (“dark, black”) + bīlis (“bile”). A calque of the Ancient Greek μελαγχολία (melancholia) " atrabiliousness", from μέλας μελαν- (melas, melan-) "black, dark, murky" + χολή (chole) "bile" since according to early physiology, the excess of black bile in the human body was to result in melancholy. Compare melancholy.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈaː.tra ˈbiː.lis/, [ˈaː.tra ˈbiː.lɪs]

Adjective

ātra bīlis f (genitive ātrae bīlis); third declension

1. black bile, meaning melancholy, sadness, dejection

   Bilem atram generantes, quos μελαγχολικοὺς vocant.

   Generating a black bile which they call μελαγχολία.

   Delirat uxor. - Ātrā bīlī percita est.

   My wife is deranged! - It's caused by the black bile.

   Atra bilis agitat hominem.

   Melancholy makes men mad.