spleen

noun

\ ˈsplēn

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

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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

Her spleen became enlarged because the sickle cells built up in it, so doctors gave her transfusions. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "You'd never know this happy-go-lucky 2-year-old has sickle cell anemia. But it's always on her mom's mind.," 11 June 2018 The persistent pain that Garza felt during workouts upon arriving back on campus prompted a visit to the doctor, where a CAT scan revealed the cyst, which was attached to his spleen. — Luke Meredith, The Seattle Times, "Sophomore Luka Garza on a tear for surging Hawkeyes," 5 Feb. 2019 According to the Mayo Clinic, a ruptured spleen typically occurs during a forceful blow to the abdomen and can cause life-threatening internal bleeding without emergency treatment. — Alexandria Hein, Fox News, "High school football player ruptures spleen during game," 6 Sep. 2018 No one called for help for nearly 12 hours, and Piazza later died of head, spleen, and lung injuries. — Joseph A. Gambardello, Philly.com, "Pa. AG to appeal dismissal of charges in Penn State hazing death of Timothy Piazza," 26 Apr. 2018 No one called for help for nearly 12 hours, and Piazza later died of head, lung and spleen injuries. — Susan Snyder, Philly.com, "Tougher penalties for hazing likely in Pennsylvania," 18 Apr. 2018 Both Lewis and Adams were with Tyrone at their College Station apartment in 2004 when the boy suffered extensive injuries that included a severe head wound and trauma to the liver, kidney and spleen. — David Warren, The Seattle Times, "Texas woman whose child is missing had son who was killed," 6 Aug. 2018 These cysts can also show up in your bones, kidneys, spleen, muscles, central nervous system, and eyes, the WHO says, but that's less common. — Korin Miller, SELF, "This Woman’s ‘Electric Shock’ Leg Pain Was Caused By a Parasite in Her Back," 2 Aug. 2018 Republicans have, too, the rising spleen of the left, which is scarifying to the peaceful and will likely bring a backlash. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "A Long Way From the Arsenal of Democracy," 18 Oct. 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.

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Last Updated

16 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for spleen

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

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More Definitions for spleen

spleen

noun

English Language Learners Definition of spleen

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

literary : feelings of anger

See the full definition for spleen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

spleen

noun

\ ˈsplēn

Kids Definition of spleen

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

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