fel

fel, fellis, n. [Gr. cholos, gall; cf. Germ. Galle; Engl. gall], the gall-bladder, gall, bile (cf. bilis):

jecur a dextra parte sub praecordiis: ex inferiore parte ei fel inhaeret,

Cels. 4, 1; cf. Plin. 11, 37, 74, § 191; 31, 10, 46, § 119; Ov. M. 2, 777:

gallinaceum,

Cic. Div. 2, 12, 29:

nigrum,

Plin. 11, 37, 75, § 193:

piscis,

Vulg. Tobiae, 6, 5.—In plur.:

fella,

Ser. Samm. 19, 333; Cael. Aur. Acut. 3, 19; id. Tard. 1, 4 fin. al.— Poet.:

hic vero Alcidae furiis exarserat atro Felle dolor, because the bile was regarded as the seat of rage,

Verg. A. 8, 220.—

B.

Transf.

1.

Poisonous liquid, poison ( poet. ):

vipereum,

Ov. Tr. 5, 7, 16; id. P. 1, 2, 18:

sagitta armata felle veneni,

Verg. A. 12, 857.—

2.

Fel terrae, a plant, the lesser centaury, the fumitory (Fumaria officinalis, Linn.), Plin. 25, 6, 31, § 68.—

II.

Trop. (only in poets, whereas bilis is used in the trop. signif. also in good prose), bitterness, acrimony, animosity (syn.: bilis, stomachus, invidia, livor;

odium): amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus,

Plaut. Cist. 1, 1, 70; cf.:

corda felle sunt lita,

id. Truc. 1, 2, 77:

omnia jam tristi tempora felle madent,

Tib. 2, 4, 11; Mart. 7, 25.