Spleen (?), n. [L. splen, Gr. the milt or spleen, affection of the spleen; cf. L. lien, plihan, plihan.]
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 is 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.
© Webster 1913.
Spleen, v. t.
To dislke.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hacket.
© Webster 1913.