noun · neuterthird declension
fel
fel n (genitive fellis)
Classical[ˈfɛɫ]Ecclesiastical[ˈfɛl]
Meaning
- neutergall bladder
- neutergall, bile
- neuterpoison
- neuterbitterness, venom
Choosing the right word Döderlein's Latin Synonyms
Fel · Bilis
Fel (from φλέγω, φλέγμα) is the gall of animals, and, figuratively, the symbol of bitterness to the taste; whereas bilis is the gall of human beings, and, figuratively, the symbol of exasperation of mind. (v. 120.)
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | fel | fella |
| genitive | fellis | fellium |
| dative | fellī | fellibus |
| accusative | fel | fella |
| ablative | felle | fellibus |
| vocative | fel | fella |
fel, fellis, n. Gr. χόλος, gall; cf. Germ. Galle; Engl. gall,
I. the gall-bladder, gall, bile (cf. bilis):
jecur a dextra parte sub praecordiis: ex inferiore parte ei fel inhaeret, Cels. 4, 1; cf. Plin. 11, 37, 74, § 191; 31, 10, 46, § 119; Ov. M. 2, 777: gallinaceum, Cic. Div. 2, 12, 29: nigrum, Plin. 11, 37, 75, § 193: piscis, Vulg. Tobiae, 6, 5.—In plur.: fella, Ser. Samm. 19, 333; Cael. Aur. Acut. 3, 19; id. Tard. 1, 4 fin. al.—Poet.: hic vero Alcidae furiis exarserat atro Felle dolor, because the bile was regarded as the seat of rage, Verg. A. 8, 220.—B. Transf.
1. Poisonous liquid, poison (poet.):
vipereum, Ov. Tr. 5, 7, 16; id. P. 1, 2, 18: sagitta armata felle veneni, Verg. A. 12, 857.—2. Fel terrae, a plant, the lesser centaury, the fumitory (Fumaria officinalis, Linn.), Plin. 25, 6, 31, § 68.—
II. Trop. (only in poets, whereas bilis is used in the trop. signif. also in good prose), bitterness, acrimony, animosity (syn.: bilis, stomachus, invidia, livor;
odium): amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus, Plaut. Cist. 1, 1, 70; cf.: corda felle sunt lita, id. Truc. 1, 2, 77: omnia jam tristi tempora felle madent, Tib. 2, 4, 11; Mart. 7, 25.Charlton Lewis's shorter dictionary for students: the same scholarship in plain, modern definitions.
fel fellis, n
cf. χόλος, the gall-bladder, gall, bile : Pectora felle virent, O.: gallinaceum: exarserat atro Felle dolor, i. e. rage , V.—Fig., bitterness, animosity , Tb. — Poisonous liquid, poison : vipereum, O.: veneni, V.
Origins
Uncertain. Either from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₃- (“green”), or from *bʰel-, *bʰl̥H- (“yellow”). *ǵʰ- > f- instead of the expected *h- is explained as being regular in some dialects. Cognates through the first etymon include holus and helvus; Ancient Greek χολή (kholḗ, “bile”) and χλωρός (khlōrós, “green”); and English yellow and gold. Sihler explains the -ll- as coming from earlier *-ln-, reconstructing *ǵʰeln-.
Descendants
- Proto-Romance*felem