bile

bile   (bīl)    n.   A bitter, alkaline, brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow fluid that is secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the duodenum and aids in the emulsification, digestion, and absorption of fats. Also called gall1. Bitterness of temper; ill humor; irascibility. Either of two bodily humors, black bile or yellow bile, in ancient and medieval physiology. [French, from Latin bīlis.]

bile

A bitter fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is discharged into the small intestine when needed to aid in the digestion of fats (see digestive system).

Note: Bile is sometimes used figuratively to denote bitterness in general: “His writing was full of bile.”

bile 

Main Entry: bile
Pronunciation: 'bI(&)l
Function: noun
1 : a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into theduodenum where it aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats called also fel
2 : either of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility andmelancholy

bile (bīl)
n.

1. A bitter, alkaline, brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow fluid that is secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the duodenum and aids in the emulsification, digestion, and absorption of fats. Also called gall¹.

2. Either of two bodily humors, black bile or yellow bile, in ancient and medieval physiology.

bile   (bīl)  Pronunciation Key  A bitter, alkaline, brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow fluid that is secreted by the liver, concentrated and stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the duodenum of the small intestine. It helps in the digestion of fats and the neutralization of acids, such as the hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach. Bile consists of salts, acids, cholesterol, lipids, pigments, and water. ◇ Bile salts help in the emulsification, digestion, and absorption of fats. ◇ Bile pigments are waste products formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin from old red blood cells.