n. [ L. splen, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as, to vent one's spleen. [ 1913 Webster ] In noble minds some dregs remain, Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A fit of anger; choler. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim. [ Obs. or R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections. [ 1913 Webster ] Bodies changed to various forms by spleen. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] There is a luxury in self-dispraise: And inward self-disparagement affords To meditative spleen a grateful feast. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Thy silly thought enforces my spleen. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] |