spleen definition | Dictionary.com

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.

4.	Archaic. melancholy.

5.	Obsolete. caprice.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME < L splēn < Gk spl

n; akin to Skt plīhan, L liēn spleen

Related forms:

spleenish, adjective

Synonyms:
3. petulance, rancor, acrimoniousness; wrath, ire, anger.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To spleen

Liver Disease
Expert medical care & treatment for hepatitis, cancer, transplant

www.cpmc.org/liver

spleen (splēn)

1. A large, highly vascular lymphoid organ, lying in the human body to the left of the stomach below the diaphragm, serving to store blood, disintegrate old blood cells, filter foreign substances from the blood, and produce lymphocytes.
2. A homologous organ or tissue in other vertebrates.
Obsolete This organ conceived as the seat of emotions or passions.
Ill temper: vent one's spleen.
Archaic Melancholy.
Obsolete A whim; a caprice.

[Middle English splen, from Old French esplen, from Latin splēn, from Greek.]
spleen'y adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Spleen

Spleen\, n. [L. splen, Gr. ???? the milt or spleen, affection of the spleen; cf. L. lien, plihan, pl[=i]han.]

1. (Anat.) A peculiar glandlike but ductless organ found near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and connected with the vascular system; the milt. Its exact function in not known.

2. Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as, to vent one's spleen.

In noble minds some dregs remain, Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain. --Pope.

3. A fit of anger; choler. --Shak.

4. A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim. [Obs. or R.]

A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways. --Shak.

5. Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections.

Bodies changed to various forms by spleen. --Pope.

There is a luxury in self-dispraise: And inward self-disparagement affords To meditative spleen a grateful feast. --Wordsworth.

6. A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment. [Obs.]

Thy silly thought enforces my spleen. --Shak.

Spleen

Spleen\, v. t. To dislke. [Obs.] --Bp. Hacket.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Language Translation for : spleen

Spanish: bazo,

German: die Milz,

Japanese: 脾臓

More Translations »

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.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

spleen

c.1300, from O.Fr. esplen, from L. splen, from Gk. splen, from PIE *splegh- (cf. Skt. plihan-, Avestan sperezan, Armenian p'aicaln, L. lien, O.C.S. slezena, Lith. bluznis, O.Prus. blusne, O.Ir. selg "spleen"). Regarded in medieval physiology as the seat of morose feelings and bad temper. Hence fig. sense of "violent ill-temper" (1594).

Main Entry: spleen
Pronunciation: 'splEn
Function: noun
: a highly vascular ductless abdominal organ of vertebrates that resembles a gland in organizationbut is closely associated with the circulatory system, that plays a role in the final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes, and that in humansis a dark purplish flattened oblong object of a soft fragile consistency lying near the cardiac end of the stomach and consisting largely of blood and lymphoid tissue enclosed in a fibroelastic capsulefrom which trabeculae ramify through the tissue of the organ which is divisible into a loose friable red pulp in intimate connection with the blood supply and with red blood cells free in itsinterstices and a denser white pulp chiefly of lymphoid tissue condensed in masses about the small arteries

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.

spleen (splēn) Pronunciation Key
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

see vent one's spleen.

Search another word or see spleen on Thesaurus | Reference

Where is the spleen
Get the Answers You're Looking For. Where is the spleen
www.RightHealth.com

Swollen spleen
Breaking News, Expert Tips, Member Support, Treatment Options & More

www.everydayhealth.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Advertise with Us · Link to Us · NASCAR® · Contact Us