jaundice

American  

[jawn-dis, jahn-] / ˈdʒɔn dɪs, ˈdʒɑn- /

noun

1. Also called icterus.  Pathology. yellow discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, etc., due to an increase of bile pigments in the blood, often symptomatic of certain diseases, as hepatitis.

2. grasserie.

3. a state of feeling in which views are prejudiced or judgment is distorted, as by envy or resentment.

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verb (used with object)

jaundiced, jaundicing

1. to distort or prejudice, as by envy or resentment.

   His social position jaundiced his view of things.

jaundice British  

/ ˈdʒɔːndɪs /

noun

1. Also called: icterus.  yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to the abnormal presence of bile pigments in the blood, as in hepatitis

2. a mental state of bitterness, jealousy, and ill humour resulting in distorted judgment

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verb

1. to distort (the judgment, etc) adversely

   jealousy had jaundiced his mind

2. to affect with or as if with jaundice

jaundice Scientific  

/ jôn′dĭs /

1. Yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes, skin, or mucous membranes caused by the deposition of bile salts in these tissues, occurring as a sign of disorders that interfere with normal metabolism or transport of bile. Liver diseases such as hepatitis commonly cause jaundice.

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jaundice Cultural  

1. A condition in which the skin, the whites of the eye, and other tissues take on a yellowish color because of an excess of bile coloring in the blood.

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Other Word Forms

• jaundiced adjective

Etymology

Origin of jaundice

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English jaundis, from Old French jaunisse, from jaune “yellow” (from Latin galbinus “greenish-yellow”) + -isse -ice

Example Sentences

Symptoms in humans may include fever, headache, muscle aches, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rash.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

Among adults, infection usually results in symptoms, with jaundice occurring in more than 70% of patients, according to the CDC.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2025

But the WHO warns that about 15% of people face a second, more serious phase involving high fever, jaundice, bleeding and deteriorating kidney function.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

A lack of awareness and adequate medical support hinders the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal jaundice in Nigeria.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2025

The pain in his stomach and in his muscles grew unbearable, and he developed jaundice.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• bias
• color
• distort
• predispose
• prejudice
• prepossess