释义 |
spleen I. \ˈsplēn\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English splen, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French esplen, from Latin splen, from Greek splēn; akin to Latin lien spleen, Old Irish selg, Old Slavic slĕzena, Sanskrit plīhan 1. a. : a highly vascular ductless abdominal organ of vertebrates that resembles a gland in organization but is closely associated with the circulatory system playing a role in the maintenance of blood volume, production of some types of blood cells, recovery of material from worn-out red blood cells, and probably in the production of antibodies and that in man is a dark purplish flattened oblong object of a soft fragile consistency lying near the cardiac end of the stomach and consisting largely of reticuloendothelial 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 b. archaic : the seat of emotions and passions : the source of laughter 2. : any of various passions or emotions or their manifestations: a. obsolete : violent mirth or merriment; also : laughter < haply my presence may well abate thy overmerry spleen — Shakespeare > b. archaic : a fit of anger, malice, or bad temper c. (1) obsolete : a sudden impulse : whim, caprice < a thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways — Shakespeare > (2) obsolete : a capricious temper d. obsolete : a proud courageous impetuous temper : manly spirit < leaden age, quicken'd with youthful spleen and warlike rage — Shakespeare > also : impetuosity, high-spiritedness e. (1) : latent malevolence or spite : violent feelings of anger or spite especially when suddenly and explosively released < his countrymen vented their spleen at his failure … by sending the unfortunate naval commander into exile — A.J.Toynbee > (2) obsolete : a feeling of ill will : grudge < I have no spleen against you — Shakespeare > f. : extreme lowness of spirits : melancholy, depression Synonyms: see malice II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) : to arouse the wrath of : anger |