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
SYNONYMS FOR spleen
OTHER WORDS FROM spleen
spleen·ish, adjective un·spleen·ish, adjective un·spleen·ish·ly, adverbWords nearby spleen
splatter movie,
splatterpunk,
splay,
splayd,
splayfoot,
spleen,
spleenful,
spleenwort,
spleeny,
splen-,
splenalgia
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, adjectiveWord 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.