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: acrimoniousness, anger, ire, wrath, 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 lienalspleneticsplenic
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

/ splēn /

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈspleenish, adjective

Other Words From

• spleenish adjective
• un·spleenish adjective
• un·spleenish·ly 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

She is keeping her children home because their father does not have a spleen, which makes him more vulnerable to the virus.

From Washington Post

We’ve seen the abuses, heard all the excuses, And don’t care if you vent your spleen.

From Washington Post

There’s some evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can interfere with immune processes in the lymph nodes and spleen in ways that might prevent the immune system from “remembering” the virus if it sees it again.

From Popular-Science

Once inside a cell, the parasite produces proteins that dock on the cell’s exterior and make it stick to blood vessels so that it won’t be carried to the spleen, where it would otherwise get removed from the body.

From Science News

Back in the 90s, scientists found that pinching this spot can activate nerves that lead to the spleen, which produces immune cells and is a major regulator of inflammation.

From Singularity Hub 

Internal organs like the spleen swell up and become as hard as sausages.

From The Daily Beast

As with pretty much everything the former governor does, this is all about Venting the Spleen of Sarah.

From The Daily Beast

Not that Cheney, even at his frailest, ever failed to vent his spleen with impressive vigor.

From The Daily Beast

The shot damaged his liver, lungs, pancreas and spleen and has left him paralyzed from the waist down.

From The Daily Beast

The internal injuries cost him his spleen and part of his pancreas, but he could skate without those.

From The Daily Beast

Large mononuclear leukocytes probably originate in the bone-marrow or spleen.

From Project Gutenberg

Would you mind telling me what made you so confident that the spleen had nothing to do with the complication?

From Project Gutenberg

And really when one hath the Spleen, every thing is to be excusd by a Friend.

From Project Gutenberg

If they could make all the pleasures of life into one cordial they would swallow it at a draught in a fit of sentimental spleen.

From Project Gutenberg

There was the surly old curmudgeon in whom the author vents his spleen, and who draws up eccentric wills.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ill humor
• ill temper
• peevishness