anti-bilious
|an-ti-bil-i-ous|
/ˌæn.tiˈbɪl.i.əs/
counteracts bile / prevents biliousness
Etymology
'anti-bilious' is formed from the Greek prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and the adjective 'bilious' from Latin 'biliosus' (from 'bilis' meaning 'bile').
'bilious' comes into English via Latin 'biliosus' (from 'bilis' 'bile') and Middle English usage; the compound with the Greek-derived prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') produced 'anti-bilious' in modern English as a descriptive compound.
Initially the elements literally meant 'against bile' (i.e., countering bile-related disorders); over time the compound has been used medically for substances that prevent or relieve bilious symptoms and occasionally figuratively to mean 'countering ill temper'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
preventing, relieving, or counteracting biliousness (symptoms associated with excess bile such as nausea, indigestion, or stomach upset); applied to medicines, tonics, or regimens.
The physician recommended an anti-bilious tonic to settle his stomach after the long voyage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/16 20:47