spleen

[spleen]

noun

1. 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.

2. Obsolete.,  this organ conceived of as the seat of spirit and courage or of such emotions as mirth, ill humor, melancholy, etc.

3. ill humor, peevish temper, or spite.

   Synonyms: anger, ire, wrath, acrimoniousness, rancor, petulance

4. Archaic.,  melancholy.

5. Obsolete.,  caprice.

spleen

/ spliːn /

noun

1. 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

2. the corresponding organ in other animals

3. spitefulness or ill humour; peevishness

   to vent one's spleen

4. archaic,  the organ in the human body considered to be the seat of the emotions

5. archaic,  another word for melancholy

6. obsolete,  whim; mood

spleen

1. 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).

spleen

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• spleenish adjective
• unspleenish adjective
• unspleenishly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spleen¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spleen¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see vent one's spleen.

Example Sentences

Studies suggest that cyberbullies who have their posts removed are less likely to repost and perhaps being called out by shows they watch will give some “fans” pause before they vent their spleen online.

From Los Angeles Times

Marten spent eight days in hospital being treated for a shattered spleen and lacerations to a kidney.

From BBC

Moran said that Trump has a greater goal in mind when he vents his spleen, but Miller is simply driven by hate.

From Salon

"I broke my toe, five ribs, I lacerated my spleen, and I've got a big hole in the back of my leg that got badly infected," she said.

From BBC

Ferrets that weren’t exposed to the seasonal flu before being infected with H5N1 had high levels of the virus in their respiratory tissues, as well as detectable virus in their hearts, spleen, liver and intestines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ill humor 
• ill temper 
• peevishness www.thesaurus.com