fel, fellis, n. [Gr. χόλος, gall; cf. Germ. Galle; Engl. gall],
I 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.