Definition of "colic" [col•ic]

• Severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera, such as the intestines. (noun)
• A condition of unknown cause seen in infants less than three months old, marked by periods of inconsolable crying lasting for hours at a time for at least three weeks. (noun)
• Of, relating to, or affecting the colon. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "An inconsolable baby is the first image that the term colic may bring to mind."
• "So it would appear that in Dr Carl's view at least as of today what we call colic is really "cervical spine subluxation", which chiropractors claim they can treat."
• "In the past, this fussy period was called colic, defined as three or more crying episodes each week for three or more weeks, with each episode lasting three hours or longer.21"