Pronunciation: [bˈɪlɪəs] (IPA) 
Bilious is a six-letter word that describes someone who is irritable or nauseous. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈbɪliəs/. The "bi-" at the beginning sounds like "bih" as in "bicycle," followed by a short "i" sound as in "bit." The "-lious" ending is pronounced with a long "E" sound like "lee-us." The correct spelling of bilious is important to convey the intended meaning in writing or speech.
The term "bilious" is an adjective that is used to describe someone or something that is irritable, ill-tempered, or easily angered. Additionally, it can refer to a feeling of nausea or general physical discomfort, typically caused by digestive issues or liver dysfunction. The word is derived from the Old French term "bilieux" and the Latin word "biliosus," which both pertain to a malfunctioning of the liver.
In its figurative sense, "bilious" characterizes a person who is particularly critical or negative in their attitude, often expressing spite, resentment, or cynicism. This attribute often manifests as a constant state of irritability or grumpiness, as if the individual were suffering from a physical illness. Consequently, this individual may display a tendency to become easily annoyed or enraged, making them prone to bouts of aggression or argumentativeness.
Furthermore, "bilious" can describe a general feeling of discomfort and queasiness, usually associated with disorders of the liver or digestive system. This sensation may be characterized by a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, as well as feelings of indigestion or nausea. These physical symptoms contribute to a sense of overall unease, making the affected individual feel unwell or sick.
In summary, "bilious" is a term that refers to a person's disposition or physical state, emphasizing their irritability, ill-temperament, and a feeling of illness or discomfort, often over and above a specific medical condition.
1. Biliary, relating to bile. 2. Noting a digestive disturbance marked by anorexia, furred tongue, constipation, headache, more or less vertigo, and occasionally slight jaundice, assumed to be dependent upon disordered function of the liver. 3. Suffering from biliousness.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Having excess of bile.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bilious" has its roots in the Latin word "bilis", meaning "bile", which refers to the digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. In ancient medicine, it was believed that an imbalance of bodily humors, including an excess of bile, led to various illnesses and conditions. Over time, the term "bilious" began to be used to describe people who exhibited symptoms associated with an excessive amount of bile in their bodies, such as irritability, ill temper, and nausea. This sense of the word later expanded to describe a general disposition marked by these qualities. Therefore, the etymology of "bilious" is linked to its association with the concept of bile and its imbalances in ancient medicine.
