atrabilious

or at·ra·bil·iar

[ a-truh-bil-yuhs ]

adjective

1. gloomy; morose; melancholy; morbid.
2. irritable; bad-tempered; splenetic.

atrabilious

/ ˌætrəˈbɪljəs /

adjective

1. rare.
   irritable

Derived Forms

• ˌatraˈbiliousness, noun

Other Words From

• atra·bilious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atrabilious¹

1645–55; < Latin ātra bīli ( s ) black bile + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of atrabilious¹

C17: from Latin ātra bīlis black bile, from āter black + bīlis bile ¹

Example Sentences

Eliphalet borrowed money, his habiliments grew shabby, he took up mean callings for the sake of pelf, he became a spunge; he grew bilious, atrabilious, patriotic and indignant.

From Project Gutenberg

After his conversion he made amends, though he was always the atrabilious faultfinder.

From Project Gutenberg

The melancholy or atrabilious temperament is of a different character.

From Project Gutenberg

The one truly successful film of this period is Mike Nichols's version of Edward Albee's , where a middle-aged academic couple tear each other apart in a manner reminiscent of Strindberg at his most atrabilious.

From The Guardian

His sallow, atrabilious features disclosed the tortures of his soul.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crestfallen
• despondent
• discouraged
• disheartened
• dispirited
• gloomy
• glum
• morose