spleen

[ spleen ]
/ splin /

noun

a highly vascular, glandular, ductless organ, situated in humans at the cardiac end of the stomach, serving chiefly in the formation of mature lymphocytes, in the destruction of worn-out red blood cells, and as a reservoir for blood.
Obsolete. this organ conceived of as the seat of spirit and courage or of such emotions as mirth, ill humor, melancholy, etc.
ill humor, peevish temper, or spite.
Archaic. melancholy.
Obsolete. caprice.

Origin of spleen

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin splēn < Greek splḗn; akin to Sanskrit plīhan, Latin liēn spleen

OTHER WORDS FROM spleen

spleen·ish, adjective un·spleen·ish, adjective un·spleen·ish·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for spleen

British Dictionary definitions for spleen

spleen
/ (spliːn) /

noun

a spongy highly vascular organ situated near the stomach in man. It forms lymphocytes, produces antibodies, aids in destroying worn-out red blood cells, and filters bacteria and foreign particles from the blood Related adjectives: lienal, splenetic, splenic
the corresponding organ in other animals
spitefulness or ill humour; peevishness to vent one's spleen
archaic the organ in the human body considered to be the seat of the emotions
archaic another word for melancholy
obsolete whim; mood

Derived forms of spleen

spleenish or spleeny, adjective

Word Origin for spleen

C13: from Old French esplen, from Latin splēn, from Greek; related to Latin lien spleen

Medical definitions for spleen

spleen
[ splēn ]

n.

A large, highly vascular lymphoid organ, lying to the left of the stomach below the diaphragm and serving to store blood, disintegrate old blood cells, filter foreign substances from the blood, and to produce lymphocytes.

Scientific definitions for spleen

spleen
[ splēn ]

An organ in vertebrate animals that in humans is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach. The spleen is mainly composed of lymph nodes and blood vessels. It filters the blood, stores red blood cells (erythrocytes) and destroys old ones, and produces white blood cells (lymphocytes).

Cultural definitions for spleen

spleen

An organ in the lymphatic system, in the upper left part of the abdomen, that filters out harmful substances from the blood. The spleen also produces white blood cells, removes worn-out red blood cells from circulation, and maintains a reserve blood supply for the body.

Idioms and Phrases with spleen

spleen

see vent one's spleen.