colic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   severe, often spasmodic pain in the abdomen, especially pain arising from the intestines

   The patient was admitted with waves of colic and abdominal tenderness.

2. 2
   noun

   a condition in which an otherwise healthy infant cries intensely and repeatedly for long periods

   Their baby's colic was usually worst during the early evening.

3. 3
   noun

   acute abdominal pain in a horse or another animal, often treated as a veterinary emergency

   The mare showed signs of colic and the stable called a veterinarian immediately.

Through French colique and Late Latin colica from Greek kolikos, 'suffering in the colon,' based on kolon, 'large intestine.' The name broadened from intestinal pain to characteristic syndromes in infants and animals.

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