colic

Meanings

Noun

• Severe pains that grip the abdomen or the disease that causes such pains (due to intestinal or bowel-related problems).
• Severe fussiness and crying, especially of infants with certain medical conditions.
• A medicinal plant used to relieve such symptoms.

Adjective

• Relating to the colon; colonic.

Origin

• Borrowed from French colique. Ultimately derived from Ancient Greek κωλικός ("suffering in the colon").