jaundice

noun

jaun·​dice ˈjȯn-dəs 

ˈjän-

1

: yellowish pigmentation of the skin, tissues, and body fluids caused by the deposition of bile pigments

2

: a disease or abnormal condition characterized by jaundice

3

: a state or attitude characterized by satiety, distaste, or hostility

Synonyms

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• bitterness

Examples of jaundice in a Sentence

the jaundice in the eyes of the two feuding neighbors was enough to kill crabgrass

Recent Examples on the Web

This causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to take on a yellowish hue, known as jaundice. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025

By the time red flags like fatigue, jaundice, swelling or easy bruising appear, the damage may already be done, the doctor warned. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025

Symptoms may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), rash, and weakness. —Lindsay Cook, Health, 10 Sep. 2025

OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that a medical examiner found that Hayden had suffered acute bilirubin encephalopathy, a neurological condition that is caused by jaundice, which was brought on by hyperbilirubinemia, an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood. —Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English jawnes, jaundis, from Anglo-French jaunice, galniz, from jaune, gaune yellow, from Latin galbinus greenish yellow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

jaundice

noun

jaun·​dice ˈjȯn-dəs 

ˈjän-

1

: yellowish discoloring of the skin, tissues, and body fluids caused by the presence of coloring matter from the bile

also : a disease or abnormal condition marked by jaundice

2

: a state or attitude marked by envy, dislike, or hostility

Medical Definition

jaundice

noun

jaun·​dice ˈjȯn-dəs, ˈjän- 

1

: a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, tissues, and certain body fluids caused by the deposition of bile pigments and especially bilirubin that follows interference with normal production and discharge of bile (as in certain liver diseases) or excessive breakdown of red blood cells (as after internal hemorrhage or in various hemolytic states)

called also icterus

2

: any disease or abnormal condition (as hepatitis A or leptospirosis) that is characterized by jaundice

called also icterus