spleen

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses
  2. noun a feeling of resentful anger

Etymology

From Middle English splene, splen, from Anglo-Norman espleen and Old French esplein, esplen, from Latin splēn (“milt”), from Ancient Greek σπλήν (splḗn, “the spleen”). Doublet of lien. Partially displaced the native English term milt.

In classic literature

Synonyms

lien

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