σπλάγχνον
I. mostly in pl. σπλάγχνα, "the inward parts", esp. the "viscera thoracis", i. e. heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, which in sacrifices were reserved to be eaten by the sacrificers, Hom., etc.:—hence "the sacrificial feast", Lat. visceratio, Ar.:—also as used in divination, Aesch., etc.
2. "any part of the inwards, the womb", Pind., Soph.: so in sg., Aesch.
II. metaph., like our "heart, the seat of the feelings" and "affections", id=Aesch., Eur., etc.:—so in sg., Soph., Eur.; ἀνδρὸς σπλάγχνον ἐκμαθεῖν to learn a man's "inward nature", Eur.
Etym. deriv. uncertain