Basic Details
Word: Humours
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: In historical terms, it refers to the four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) believed to affect health and personality; also, it can mean a mood or emotional state.
Synonyms: Moods, temperament
Antonyms: Stability, composure
Idioms and Phrases
- In good humour: Being cheerful and friendly. Example: "Even on a rainy day, Sarah was in good humour, making everyone smile."
- Out of sorts: Feeling unwell or annoyed. Example: "He was a bit out of sorts after waking up from a long nap."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The variations in humours can lead to different personality traits, such as being joyful or melancholic.
Example 2: During the play, the actors displayed their characters' humours through exaggerated facial expressions.
Example 3: The doctor explained how balancing the humours was once thought to keep a person healthy.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the concept of humours dates back to ancient Greece? Hippocrates, the father of medicine, believed that an imbalance of these fluids could affect physical and mental health.
Famous Quote
"The humours are the raw material of emotion, shaping the mind as much as the body." Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "humours" refer to in historical terms?
a) A type of music
b) Four bodily fluids
c) A form of poetry
d) A species of animal
Answer: b) Four bodily fluids
2. Which of these is a synonym of "humours"?
a) Emotions
b) Seasons
c) Moods
d) Flavours
Answer: c) Moods
3. What is an antonym of "humours"?
a) Liberty
b) Stability
c) Variability
d) Whimsy
Answer: b) Stability
4. Which sentence uses "humours" correctly?
a) The humours of the cake were delightful.
b) The child had different humours throughout the day.
c) The humours danced gracefully.
d) The humours were playing outside.
Answer: b) The child had different humours throughout the day.
5. Which idiom means having a cheerful mood?
a) In good humour
b) Out of sorts
c) A storm in a teacup
d) Raining cats and dogs
Answer: a) In good humour
