1. Yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes caused by deposition of bile salts in these tissues. It occurs as a symptom of various diseases, such as hepatitis, that affect the processing of bile. Also called icterus.
2. A state or feeling of negativity or bitterness arising especially from envy or world-weariness.

1. To affect with the discoloration of jaundice.
2. To affect with the negativity or bitterness of jaundice. See synonyms at bias.

[Middle English jaundis, jaunis, from Old French jaunice, yellowness, jaundice, from jaune, jalne, yellow, from Latin galbinus, yellowish.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.