choleric

the word 'choleric' originates from the ancient greek concept of bodily humors, specifically 'kholē', meaning 'bile'. this term entered latin as 'cholera' and later old french as 'colere'. the suffix '-ic', of greek origin via latin, is used to form adjectives. in medieval physiology, an excess of yellow bile (choler) was believed to cause a personality characterized by quick temper and irritability. thus, the literal 'pertaining to bile' evolved into the modern abstract meaning describing an irascible disposition, preserving the logic of the old humoral theory in contemporary language.

Structure: choler (bile) + ic (adjective suffix) choler (from latin 'cholera', from greek 'kholera' meaning 'bilious disease', from 'kholē' meaning 'bile'); ic (from latin '-icus', from greek '-ikos', a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'of, pertaining to, or having the nature of').