Bejaundice

/bɪˈdʒɔːndɪs/ verb

Definition

to cause someone to view things through a biased or prejudiced lens, as if they have jaundice (yellowing of the eyes).

Etymology

From 'be-' plus 'jaundice,' which comes from Old French jaunisse, from jaune (yellow). Jaundice as a condition turns the eyes yellow; metaphorically, jaundice means a bitter or jealous viewpoint.

Kelly Says

Medieval physicians believed jaundice literally colored your perception yellow, which is why 'jaundiced' became the perfect word for viewing things bitterly or unfairly—your actual eyesight was supposedly changed. Language borrowed this medical observation as a metaphor for prejudice.

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