Choler
Anger or irascibility; in historical or literary usage, the yellow bile believed to cause a hot temper.
nounCholer
Anger or irascibility; in historical or literary usage, the yellow bile believed to cause a hot temper.
nounImagine This
Picture a medieval scholar in a candle-lit scriptorium who, upon discovering a spilled ink blot, stiffens with choler and snaps at the nearest assistant, his face flushing as if the yellow bile inside him has spilled over.
Sounds Like
collar
Looks Like
cholera (visual similarity) or collar (similar sound); resembles color
Remember This
Choler is tied to the ancient humoral theory of medicine, where yellow bile (choler) was thought to influence a hot temper; the related adjective choleric describes a fiery, irritable temperament.
Other Forms
Connect With
anger, ire, wrath; temper; bile; humors
Note
Choler is largely archaic or literary in modern usage. In everyday writing, use anger, irritation, or temperament instead. Be careful not to confuse with 'collar' or 'cholera'.
Study Deeper
- Her choler rose quickly when she saw the stain on the shirt collar.
- The tyrant's choler led him to act rashly and punish even minor offenses.
From Latin cholera 'bile', via Old French choler; in ancient humoral theory, choler referred to yellow bile believed to cause a fiery temperament.
Choler sounds like collar; remember the word by picturing a shirt collar turning red with anger to recall that choler means anger.
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Acronym
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