liver

¹

[liv-er]

noun

1. Anatomy.,  a large, reddish-brown, glandular organ located in the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, divided by fissures into five lobes and functioning in the secretion of bile and various metabolic processes.

2. an organ in other animals similar to the human liver, often used as food.

3. a diseased condition of the liver; biliousness.

   a touch of liver.

4. a reddish-brown color.

5. a rubberlike, irreversible thickening suspension occurring in paint, ink, etc., due to a chemical reaction between a colloidal pigment and a vehicle or as a result of polymerization of the vehicle.

adjective

1. of the color of liver.

verb (used without object)

1. (of paint, ink, etc.) to undergo irreversible thickening.

liver

²

[liv-er]

noun

1. a person who lives in a manner specified.

   an extravagant liver.

2. a dweller or resident; inhabitant.

liver

³

[lahy-ver]

adjective

1. comparative of live.

liver

¹

/ ˈlɪvə /

noun

1. a multilobed highly vascular reddish-brown glandular organ occupying most of the upper right part of the human abdominal cavity immediately below the diaphragm. It secretes bile, stores glycogen, detoxifies certain poisons, and plays an important part in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat, helping to maintain a correct balance of nutrients

2. the corresponding organ in animals

3. the liver of certain animals used as food

4. a reddish-brown colour, sometimes with a greyish tinge

liver

²

/ ˈlɪvə /

noun

1. a person who lives in a specified way

   a fast liver

liver

1. A large glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrate animals that is essential to many metabolic processes. The liver secretes bile, stores fat and sugar as reserve energy sources, converts harmful substances to less toxic forms, and regulates the amount of blood in the body.

2. A similar organ of invertebrate animals.

liver

1. A large organ, located on the right side of the abdomen and protected by the lower rib cage, that produces bile and blood proteins, stores vitamins for later release into the bloodstream, removes toxins (including alcohol) from the blood, breaks down old red blood cells, and helps maintain levels of blood sugar in the body.

Other Word Forms

• liverless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liver¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English liver(e), liverre, Old English lifer(e), cognate with Dutch lever, German Leber, Old Norse lifr; further origin uncertain; perhaps akin to Greek liparós “fat, gleaming, fruitful”

Origin of liver²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; live ¹, -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of liver¹

Old English lifer; related to Old High German lebrav, Old Norse lefr, Greek liparos fat

Example Sentences

That means a lifelong threat of cirrhosis or other deadly liver conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

The rains have stranded millions mid-commute, left cars floating in streets that have turned into rivers and caused outbreaks of leptospirosis, a liver ailment that spreads through the excrement of sewer rats.

From BBC

This could include medicines or specific lifestyle advice - such as people likely to develop some liver disorders benefitting from cutting back their alcohol intake more than the general population.

From BBC

He had been ill since birth and had had two liver transplants.

From BBC

It can cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure and damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs.

From BBC

Related Words

• citizen 
• dweller 
• inhabitant 
• inmate 
• local 
• native 
• resident 
• tenant