Etymology · Ancient Greek
μελαγχολία
2 English words descend from Ancient Greek μελαγχολία, most common first.
- melancholyBlack bile, formerly thought to be one of the four "cardinal humours" of animal bodies.
- black bileOne of the four humours of ancient and mediaeval physiology, that was believed to be secreted by the kidneys and spleen and to cause melancholy and sadness when present in excess.