spleen

noun

1
: a highly vascular ductless organ that is located in the left abdominal region near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and is concerned with final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes
2
obsolete : the seat of emotions or passions
3
archaic : melancholy
4
: feelings of anger or ill will often suppressed
5
obsolete : a sudden impulse or whim : caprice
Choose the Right Synonym for spleen

malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

Examples of spleen in a Sentence

vented her spleen and felt much better for having done so the bill's failure to pass in the legislature was due to nothing more than partisan spleen
Recent Examples on the Web Choi’s 49-year-old husband suffered a ruptured spleen and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, Bokosky said. City News Service, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024 Her blood work indicated an infection of some kind, and scans showed signs of pneumonia in her lungs as well as lesions in her spleen and liver. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023 Again, doctors found the lung, liver, and spleen injuries as well as signs of an infection. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023 One spent a month in a coma after her surgeon accidentally nicked her spleen. Aimee Ortiz, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023 Finally, the spleen contracts, releasing up to 15 percent more oxygen-rich blood into the bloodstream, which is why the larger spleens of the Bajau are so interesting. Women's Health, 31 July 2023 When severe and uncontrolled, ITP can force patients to have their spleen removed. Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 28 Nov. 2023 This requires a more extended break from intense exercise—sometimes as much as three to four weeks—to avoid a ruptured spleen, Dr. McKenna says. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 28 Nov. 2023 Surely, there must be more to living than simply maintaining adequate oxygen in your spleen. Time, 20 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spleen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English splen, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French espleen, from Latin splen, from Greek splēn; akin to Latin lien spleen, Sanskrit plīhan

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spleen was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spleen

Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spleen. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spleen

noun
1
: an organ containing many blood vessels that is located near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates, destroys worn-out red blood cells, filters the blood, and produces some white blood cells
2
: feelings of anger or ill will that are often not expressed

Medical Definition

spleen

noun
: a highly vascular ductless abdominal organ of vertebrates that resembles a gland in organization but 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 humans is 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 capsule from 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 its interstices and a denser white pulp chiefly of lymphoid tissue condensed in masses about the small arteries

More from Merriam-Webster on spleen

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