colic

Everyday

1. Colic is bad pain in the tummy, especially when a young baby cries for a long time for no clear reason, often in the evenings. tree →
2. In horses, colic is a serious tummy pain that needs a vet quickly. tree →

In the lessons

In family life, parents of a new baby may talk about colic and long nights of crying; it usually gets better on its own after a few months. In stories about farms and ponies, colic is a worry because it can be dangerous for horses. Phrases: «a baby with colic», «colicky».

Examples

• Our baby brother cried for hours with colic. tree →
• Mum walked up and down with the colicky baby. tree →
• The doctor said colic usually stops after a few months. tree →
• The vet came at night because the pony had colic. tree →
• Colic is not the parents' fault. tree →
• Rocking and quiet help some babies with colic. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «the baby has colic». Adjective: colicky. Pronounced «KOL-ik». Do not confuse with «colleague» or «comic».