SPLEEN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Spleen

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noun

Spleen n.

(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.

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."

A fit of anger; choler.

A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim. (Obs. or R.) "A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways."

Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections. "Bodies changed to various forms by spleen." "There is a luxury in self-dispraise: And inward self-disparagement affords To meditative spleen a grateful feast."

A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment. (Obs.) "Thy silly thought enforces my spleen."

verb

Spleen v. t. To dislke. (Obs.)

See images of 'Spleen'

Etymology of 'Spleen'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Spleen" Quotes from Famous Books

... as the lightning in the collied night, That in a spleen enfolds both heaven and earth, And ere a man hath power to say—Behold! The jaws of darkness do devour ...

— Notes and Queries 1850.03.23 • Various

... My disappointment was now as great as my excitement had been all the forenoon; at three o'clock I fairly cried, and for half an hour could only fling myself on the ground and give way to all the unreasonable spleen that extreme vexation could suggest. True, I kept telling myself that for aught I knew George might be dead, or down with a fever; but this would not do; for in this last case he should have sent one of his ...

— Erewhon Revisited • Samuel Butler

... me some tiny questioning Chopin prelude, and forget this dolorous night." ... He had been staring hard at the moon when I aroused him. "As you will; let us go indoors by all means, for this moon gives me the spleen." Then we moved ...

— Melomaniacs • James Huneker

... was determined not to give in, as she so often did when Helen showed spleen. Fortunately, Ruth was busy with her picture work, so she had good reason to excuse herself from much association with the Cameron twins during ...

— Ruth Fielding on the St. Lawrence - The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands • Alice B. Emerson

... in her breast. Mammy Phillis had followed her mistress to the tomb, six months after her removal from her beloved cottage to the despised "quarters." She never held up her head from the day of her degradation, died from a broken heart, murmured those who best knew her—of a "fit of spleen," said Mrs. Aylett, in cool ...

— At Last • Marion Harland

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