# black bile

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. One of the four humours of ancient and mediaeval physiology, that was believed to be secreted by the kidneys and spleen and to cause melancholy and sadness when present in excess.

## Etymology
Calque of Latin ātra bīlis, itself a calque of Ancient Greek μελαγχολία (melankholía).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/black-bile