Spleen (?), n. [L. splen, Gr.
&?;&?;&?;&?; the milt or spleen, affection of the spleen; cf. L.
lien, plihan, plīhan.] 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.
2. Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as,
to vent one's spleen.
In noble minds some dregs remain,
Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain.
Pope.
3. A fit of anger; choler.
Shak.
4. A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak;
a whim. [Obs. or R.]
A thousand spleens bear her a thousand
ways.
Shak.
5. Melancholy; hypochondriacal
affections.
Bodies changed to various forms by
spleen.
Pope.
There is a luxury in self-dispraise:
And inward self-disparagement affords
To meditative spleen a grateful feast.
Wordsworth.
6. A fit of immoderate laughter or
merriment. [Obs.]
Thy silly thought enforces my
spleen.
Shak.
Spleen, v. t. To dislke.
[Obs.] Bp. Hacket.
Spleen (?), n. [L. splen, Gr.
&?;&?;&?;&?; the milt or spleen, affection of the spleen; cf. L.
lien, plihan, plīhan.] 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.
2. Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as,
to vent one's spleen.
In noble minds some dregs remain,
Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain.
Pope.
3. A fit of anger; choler.
Shak.
4. A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak;
a whim. [Obs. or R.]
A thousand spleens bear her a thousand
ways.
Shak.
5. Melancholy; hypochondriacal
affections.
Bodies changed to various forms by
spleen.
Pope.
There is a luxury in self-dispraise:
And inward self-disparagement affords
To meditative spleen a grateful feast.
Wordsworth.
6. A fit of immoderate laughter or
merriment. [Obs.]
Thy silly thought enforces my
spleen.
Shak.
Spleen, v. t. To dislke.
[Obs.] Bp. Hacket.
