Spleen (?), n. [L. splen, Gr. ���� 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.
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.
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.
Thy silly thought enforces my spleen. Shak.