colic
UK[ˈkɒlɪk]US[ˈkɑːlɪk]
n
Severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines, especially in infants.
n
A condition characterized by such pain.
Morpheme Breakdown
col
ic
col
colon
ic
adjective suffix
Etymology
The term "colic" originates from the Late Latin word colicus, meaning "pertaining to the colon," which itself is derived from the Greek kolikos. The Greek root kolon referred specifically to the large intestine. The medical condition was historically attributed to disorders of this organ, leading to the generalized term for severe abdominal pain. Over time, its usage became particularly associated with paroxysmal pain in infants, shifting from a strictly anatomical adjective to a common noun describing a specific symptomatic condition.
Analysis
Structure: col (colon) + ic (adjective suffix)
- col: A morpheme derived from Greek kolon, meaning "large intestine" or "colon." In this word, it functions as the root, specifying the bodily location.
- ic: A suffix of Greek origin (-ikos) via Latin (-icus), used to form adjectives meaning "pertaining to" or "of the nature of." Here, it forms an adjective that was later nominalized.
Examples
The newborn's incessant crying was diagnosed as a simple case of colic.
Some herbal teas are traditionally believed to soothe the discomfort of colic.
The doctor explained that colic typically resolves on its own after a few months.