spleen

noun \ ˈsplēn \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of spleen

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

See spleen defined for English-language learners

See spleen defined for kids

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 of spleen from the Web

After activating a mouse’s reward system, the researchers analyzed immune cells in its spleen.

— esther landhuis, Scientific American, "Could Brain Stimulation Slow Cancer?," 13 July 2018
Some patients become extremely fatigued, and some have a swollen liver or spleen.

— New York Times, "My Daughter Has Mono. Is the Whole Family at Risk?," 29 June 2018
Leprosy-causing bacteria have been shown to concentrate in the liver, as well as the spleen.

— National Geographic, "Humans Gave Leprosy to Armadillos. Now, They’re Giving It Back," 28 June 2018
Complications that threaten human life including swelling of the blood vessels in the brain, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, organ failure (of the kidneys, liver or spleen, anemia, and low blood sugar.

— Fox News, "Bill Gates donates $4M to create mosquitoes that kill each other using sex," 22 June 2018
Her spleen was removed, according to Ali Halla, her older sister.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Rollover crash kills Independence teen, ejects 4. Car defect may be cause, report says | The Kansas City Star," 26 May 2018
Vuscan had a lacerated liver and spleen, and medical staff were trying to stabilize her in order to operate on her.

— aimee green, OregonLive.com, "Quick-thinking witness helped catch PSU hit-and-run suspect, court papers say," 29 May 2018
After owner Jane Dickinson brought her to the Paragon Veterinary Referrals clinic, a CT scan suggested Maisy had masses in her stomach and spleen, according to The Telegraph.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "Her vet feared cancer. But Maisy's real problem was stealing teddy bears," 23 Apr. 2018
After their trip, scientists will take a look inside different organs like the liver and spleen, to better understand any links between inflammation, altered metabolism, and changes to the microbiome.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "NASA's Astro-Mice Will Test What Space Does to Your Gut," 28 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spleen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of spleen

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

spleen Synonyms

Phrases

slow burn;

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

SPLEEN Defined for English Language Learners

spleen

noun

Definition of spleen for English Language Learners

: an organ located near your stomach that destroys worn-out red blood cells and produces white blood cells
: feelings of anger

SPLEEN Defined for Kids

spleen

noun \ ˈsplēn \

Definition of spleen for Students

: an organ near the stomach that destroys worn-out red blood cells and produces some of the white blood cells

Medical Dictionary

spleen

noun \ ˈsplēn \

medical Definition of spleen

: 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