spleen \'sple^-n\ n
- 1. a highly vascular ductless organ near the stomach or
intestine of most vertebrates. Concerned with final destruction of blood
cells, storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes.
Example: Ow, my spleen!
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- 2. obs: a fit of immoderate laughter or merriment
Example: Thy silly thought enforces my spleen. (Shakespeare)
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- 3. archaic: melancholy
Example: Bodies changed to various forms by spleen. (Pope)
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- 4. obs: a sudden impulse or whim: CAPRICE
Example: A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways. (Shakespeare)
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(Note: excerpts taken from the