white-livered

adjective

white-liv·​ered ˈ(h)wīt-ˈli-vərd How to pronounce white-livered (audio)

Word History

Etymology

from the former belief that the choleric temperament depends on the body's producing large quantities of yellow bile

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-livered was in 1546

Dictionary Entries Near white-livered

Cite this Entry

“White-livered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-livered. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on white-livered

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!