Bile Meaning and Definition
Bile
Pronunciation
/bail/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A yellowish-green fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that aids in digestion and breaks down fats.
Examples
- The doctor took a sample of her bile to diagnose the issue.
- The patient’s bile duct was blocked, causing severe digestive problems.
Synonyms
- Pancreatic juice
- Gall juice
Antonyms
- Saliva
- Stomach acid
Etymology
The word “bile” comes from the Greek word “cholΔ”, meaning “gall” or “bitterness”, and has been used to describe the yellowish-green fluid produced by the liver since ancient times.
Usage Notes
Bile is often used in medical contexts to describe the fluid’s role in digestion, but it can also be used more broadly to refer to any bitter or caustic substance.
Cultural References
Bile has appeared in various works of literature, including Homer’s Odyssey, where the character of Poseidon is said to have an abode in the “land of the bile-drinking gods”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Furious as a bile-fanged monster”
- “Bile and venom in his eyes”
Related Words or Phrases
- Gallbladder
- Gallstone
- Digestive system
Collocations
- Bile duct
- Bile acid
- Bile salt
Frequency of Use
Bile is a relatively infrequently used term in modern language, but it is still an important concept in medical and scientific contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Beil
- Bill