colic Hear it!

colic definition

colic (käl′ik)

noun

  1. acute abdominal pain caused by various abnormal conditions in the bowels
  2. a condition of infants characterized by frequent crying due to various discomforts

Etymology: ME colik < OFr colique < LL colicus, pertaining to colic, sick with colic < Gr kōlikos < kōlon, incorrect form for kolon, colon: from being seated in the colon and parts adjacent

adjective

  1. of colic
  2. of or near the colon

Related Forms:

  • colicky col′·icky (-ik ē) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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