painter's colic

noun

1. Pathology. lead poisoning causing intense intestinal pain.

painter's colic

noun

1. pathol another name for lead colic

Word History and Origins

Origin of painter's colic¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Word History and Origins

Origin of painter's colic¹

C19: so called because it frequently affected people who worked with lead-based paints or similar substances

Example Sentences

The first case was of a coach-painter, who had had frequent attacks of painters colic.

From Project Gutenberg