jaundice

Definition

A morbid condition, characterized by yellowness of the eyes, skin, and urine.

Etymology

From Middle English jaundis, jaunis, from Middle French jaunisse, from jaune (“yellow”) + -isse (“-ness”). Jaune, from Old French jalne, from Latin galbinus (“yellowish”), from galbus (“yellow”).

Example Sentences

• "Why ſhould a man whoſe bloud is warme within, / Sit like his Grandſire, cut in Alabaſter? / Sleepe when he wakes? and creep into the Iaundies / By being peeuiſh?"
• "But look in this new mirror, lovely friend. / Both gods and fairies wait on lovers' wills. / That jaundices be changed to daffodils!"
• "In British folk medicine there are some unusual remedies for jaundice. A bizarre superstition from Staffordshire is that if a bladder is filled with the patient's urine and placed near the fire, as it dries out, the patient will recover (Black 1883: 56)."