How Do You Spell ATRABILIARY?

Pronunciation: [ˌatɹɐbˈɪli͡əɹɪ] (IPA)

The word "Atrabiliary" is a rare term that pertains to melancholy or ill-tempered dispositions. This word is composed of four syllables, with the primary stress on the second syllable, /ˌæ.trəˈbɪl.jər.i/. The first syllable, "at", is pronounced as /æt/, while the second syllable, "ra", is pronounced as /rə/. The third syllable, "bil", is pronounced as /bɪl/, and the fourth syllable, "iary", is pronounced as /ˈaɪə.ri/. Though the word may seem challenging to spell, the IPA phonetic transcription accurately represents the sound of the word.

ATRABILIARY Meaning and Definition

1. Atrabiliary is an adjective derived from the term "atra bilis," which means "black bile" in Latin. In medical and physiological contexts, atrabiliary is primarily associated with the ancient theory of the four humors, which proposed the existence of four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), each having distinct qualities and influencing temperament and health. Black bile, specifically, was believed to be associated with melancholy and darkness.

   In its contemporary usage, atrabiliary is employed to describe a person's disposition, temperament, or behavior marked by gloominess, despondency, and a tendency towards pessimism or depression. It implies an emotional state characterized by a prevailing sense of sadness or melancholy, often coupled with a negative outlook on life. Atrabiliary individuals may be prone to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, and even a somewhat cynical or pessimistic worldview.

   It is important to note that atrabiliary is not a clinical term used in modern psychological or psychiatric fields; rather, it is a more literary or historical word used to convey a specific temperament or emotional demeanor associated with the concept of black bile. Its usage, therefore, is generally found in works of literature, poetry, or academic discussions on the history of medicine or psychology.

2. Depressed in mind, melancholic.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Melancholic; hypochondriac.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ATRABILIARY

• ztrabiliary
• strabiliary
• wtrabiliary
• qtrabiliary
• arrabiliary
• afrabiliary
• agrabiliary
• ayrabiliary
• a6rabiliary
• a5rabiliary
• ateabiliary
• atdabiliary
• atfabiliary
• attabiliary
• at5abiliary
• at4abiliary
• atrzbiliary
• atrsbiliary
• atrwbiliary
• atrqbiliary

Etymology of ATRABILIARY

The word "atrabilary" comes from the Latin term "atrābiliāris", which derives from the noun "atrābilis". "Atrābilis" refers to a particular bodily humor or fluid, also known as black bile, believed to be one of the four fundamental humors (black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood) in ancient and medieval medicine. It was believed that an excess of black bile in a person's body would cause melancholy or a melancholic temperament, which led to the term "atrābiliāris" being associated with gloominess or a disposition toward sadness. Over time, "atrābiliāris" evolved into "atrabilary" in English, meaning inclined to melancholy or expressing melancholy.