The shift in meaning "liquid" > "mood" is attributed to the classical system of physiology, where human behaviour is regulated byfour bodily humours (fluids). The sense "mood" gave rise to the verb sense "to give in to someone's mood or whim" and, by narrowing of meaning, the sense "wit".[1]
They stayed together during three dances, went out on to the terrace, explored wherever they were permitted to explore, paid two visits to the buffet, and enjoyed themselves much in the same way as if they had been school-children surreptitiously breaking loose from an assembly of grown-ups. The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpectedhumour and high spirits.
Charles had not been employed above six months at Darracott Place, but he was not such a whopstraw as to make the least noise in the performance of his duties when his lordship was out ofhumour.
(uncountable) Amood, especially a bad mood; a temporary state of mind or disposition brought upon by an event; an abrupt illogical inclination or whim.
a.1627 (date written),Francis Bacon, “[Baconiana Politico-Moralia.[…].] Certain Apothegms of the Lord Bacon’s, hitherto Unpublished.[Apophthegm 10.]”, in [Thomas Tenison], editor,Baconiana. Or Certain Genuine Remains of Sr. Francis Bacon,[…], London:[…] J. D. for Richard Chiswell,[…], published1679,→OCLC,page55:
KingJames, as he was a Prince of great Judgment, ſo he was a Prince of a marvellous pleaſanthumour;[…]
([I]t was the town'shumour to be always gassing of phantom investors who were likely to come any moment and pay a thousand prices for everything)—“[…]Them rich fellers, they don't make no bad breaks with their money.[…]”
Ahumour is a liquid or fluent part of the body, comprehended in it, for the preservation of it; and is either innate or born with us, or adventitious and acquisite.
1627 (indicated as1626),Francis [Bacon], “VII. Century.”, inSylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries.[…], London:[…]William Rawley[…];[p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee[…],→OCLC:
The cause is a temperate conglutination ; for both bodies are clammy and viscous , and do bridle the deflux ofhumours to the hurts , without penning them in too much
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