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Synonyms

liver

1 American  
[liv-er] / ˈlɪv ər /

noun

  1. a person who lives in a manner specified.

    an extravagant liver.

  2. a dweller or resident; inhabitant.


liver 2 American  
[liv-er] / ˈlɪv ər /

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 3 American  
[lahy-ver] / ˈlaɪ vər /

adjective

  1. comparative of live.


liver 1 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

liver 2 British  
/ ˈlɪvə /

noun

  1. a person who lives in a specified way

    a fast liver

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

liver Scientific  
/ lĭvər /
  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 Cultural  
  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

Etymology

Origin of liver1

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

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”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He had a procedure which resulted in the removal of part of his pancreas, the duodenum, the gall bladder and part of his liver.

From BBC

Some will get panels of blood tests that examine everything from hormone levels to thyroid and liver function.

From The Wall Street Journal

The findings come from a study published in Science Signaling that builds on years of research into how fructose affects the liver and other organs.

From Science Daily

Nationwide, only 38 pediatric patients have previously received both a heart and liver transplant.

From Science Daily

The team also found better muscle endurance and less fat buildup in the liver.

From Science Daily