- Spleen
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as, to vent one's spleen. [1913 Webster]
In noble minds some dregs remain, Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
3. A fit of anger; choler. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim. [Obs. or R.] [1913 Webster]
A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections. [1913 Webster]
Bodies changed to various forms by spleen. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
There is a luxury in self-dispraise: And inward self-disparagement affords To meditative spleen a grateful feast. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
6. A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Thy silly thought enforces my spleen. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
