Words / C2

BIL-ee-uh-s/ˈbɪliəs/

Bilious means bad-tempered and irritable, or of bile and a nauseous look: a bilious remark, a bilious green. Irascible (already in the dictionary) is easily made angry; querulous (already in the dictionary) is peevishly complaining, of tone. Choleric (this batch) is hot-tempered as a humour. Do not file a flame risk as bile.

Meaning

Bad-tempered and irritable; also of bile or a nauseous look.

Examples

• “A bilious “noted” beside an open flame risk is not a decision.”
• “Irascible is quick to anger (already in C2). Querulous is peevish complaint (already in C2). Choleric is hot-tempered (this batch). A quiet person can still own the door. “Noted” with no owner is an empty minute. Name the date; leave the humour theory for after the close-out.”

Good to know

Irritable; bile-sick. Close: irascible / querulous (already in C2). This batch: choleric. Mood ≠ a flame.

Near in meaning

irritable, peevish, liverish, nauseous

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