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

The country has its eye on that knot of atrabilious Liberals whose voice is that of Jacob, but whose hands are the hands of Esau.

From Project Gutenberg

It was his wife, Petronille, still young and passing handsome, but of atrabilious and harsh mien.

From Project Gutenberg

His appreciation of men, their character, their talents, their designs—all bear the hue of the atrabilious journalist.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Croaker, the very reverse of her grumbling, atrabilious husband.

From Project Gutenberg

Foreigners and long-haired æsthetes were one and the same thing to my atrabilious instructor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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