Chole
/ˈkoʊ.li/noun
A medical combining form meaning “bile” or “gall.”
Did you know?In ancient Greek medicine, chole was one of the four bodily humors; “melancholy” literally meant an excess of black bile.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰelh₁-
“To shine or appear yellow-green; a proposed root associated with the color of bile”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χολή (kholḗ)
“Bile or gall”
Classical Greek
Greek
χολερικός (kholerikós)
“Pertaining to bile; later associated with a hot-tempered temperament”
Late Middle Ages
Latin
chŏlē
“Bile or gall, used in medical vocabulary”
17th Century
New Latin
chole-
“A combining form meaning bile”
Modern English
English
chole
“A medical combining form referring to bile or the gallbladder”
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