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atrabilious

 - 2 dictionary results

at⋅ra⋅bil⋅ious

[a-truh-bil-yuhs]
–adjective
1. gloomy; morose; melancholy; morbid.
2. irritable; bad-tempered; splenetic.
Also, at⋅ra⋅bil⋅iar.


Origin:
1645–55; < L ātra bīli(s) black bile + -ous


at⋅ra⋅bil⋅ious⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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at·ra·bil·ious   (āt'rə-bĭl'yəs)   
adj.  
  1. Inclined to melancholy.

  2. Having a peevish disposition; surly.


[From Latin ātra bīlis, black bile (translation of Greek melankhōliā) : ātra, black; see āter- in Indo-European roots + bīlis, bile.]
at'ra·bil'ious·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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