bile

noun \ˈbī(-ə)l\

: a yellow or greenish liquid that is made by the liver and that helps the body to digest fats

: anger or hatred

Full Definition of BILE

a : either of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility and melancholy

b : a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats

a : inclination to anger

b : acrimony, vitriol

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Origin of BILE

Latin bilis; akin to Welsh bustl bile

First Known Use: 1547

Related to BILE

Synonyms: acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, acrimony, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, mordancy, tartness, virulence, virulency, vitriol

Other Biochemistry Terms

biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

Rhymes with BILE

dial, file, isle, pile, smile, spile, stile, style, tile, trial, while, wile

BILE Defined for Kids

bile

noun \ˈbīl\

Definition of BILE for Kids

: a thick bitter yellow or greenish fluid produced by the liver to aid in digestion of fats in the small intestine

Medical Dictionary

bile

noun \ˈbī(ə)l\

Medical Definition of BILE

: a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats—called also fel

: either of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility and melancholy

Learn More About BILE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "bile"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "bile"

Nglish: Translation of "bile" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "bile" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "bile"

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