colic

1 of 3

noun

col·​ic ˈkä-lik How to pronounce colic (audio)
1
: an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
2
: a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usually subsides after three to four months of age

colic

2 of 3

adjective (1)

: of or relating to colic : colicky
colic crying

colic

3 of 3

adjective (2)

co·​lic ˈkō-lik How to pronounce colic (audio) ˈkä- How to pronounce colic (audio)
: of or relating to the colon
colic lymph nodes

Examples of colic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The intermittent pain, called renal colic, is caused by spasms as the walls of the renal pelvis are stretched.5 The pain may be dull, like a back strain, or intense, like a kidney punch. Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 But Lady, kept at a cheap stable in Weehawken, died of colic. Victor Lodato, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024
Adjective
Unlike other anti-colic bottle systems — which come with loads of parts — there's less to wash. Staff Author, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 Companies often suggest that common infant adaptations such as fussiness, colic or short nighttime sleep duration are signs of breastfeeding issues that formula can fix. Janelle Chavez, CNN, 7 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for colic 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Medieval Latin colica (passio) intestinal (suffering), from Late Latin colicus of the colon, colicky, from Greek kōlikos, from kōlon, alteration of kolon colon

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of colic was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near colic

Cite this Entry

“Colic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colic. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

colic

noun
col·​ic
ˈkäl-ik
1
: sharp sudden pain in the abdomen
2
: a condition marked by periods of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant
colicky
-i-kē
adjective

Medical Definition

colic

1 of 3 noun
col·​ic ˈkäl-ik How to pronounce colic (audio)
1
: an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ or part (as the small intestine, ureter, or bile duct) and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
2
: a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usually subsides after three to four months of age

colic

2 of 3 adjective
: of or relating to colic : colicky
colic crying

colic

3 of 3 adjective
: of or relating to the colon
colic lymph nodes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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