What does spleen mean?
Spleen most commonly denotes the organ situated in the upper-left side of the abdomen. It filters blood, removes old red blood cells, and contributes to immune defense; its exact roles can vary in complexity, but it is an important part of the body’s circulatory and immune systems. The word also has a figurative meaning: to speak or act “in a spleen” is to express bitter anger or resentful hostility. This figurative use appears frequently in literature and sounds more formal or old-fashioned than expressions such as “angry” or “resentful.” The two meanings are connected in ordinary language by the word’s long medical and literary history. “Spleen” is useful because it names both a specific bodily structure and a recognizable emotional state, especially one characterized by prolonged bitterness rather than a passing fit of temper.
A small, bean-shaped organ in the upper-left abdomen that filters blood, removes old blood cells, and helps the immune system.
"The scan revealed an enlarged spleen."
Also used in medical compounds and expressions such as “spleen enlargement,” “spleen rupture,” and “accessory spleen.”
A feeling or expression of bitter anger, resentment, or hostility.
"The old dispute still filled him with spleen."
This sense is literary and somewhat dated; it usually suggests deep or persistent bitterness.
“Spleens” is the regular plural when referring to the organ or to separate spleen specimens; it is uncommon in ordinary modern prose.
"The museum displayed preserved spleens used in medical teaching."
The word “spleen” has a remarkable double life: it names a vital filtering organ while also serving as a literary synonym for stored-up bitterness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spleen come from?
English “spleen” comes through Latin from Greek splēn, the ancient Greek word for the organ. The Greek root was borrowed into Latin and then into Old English, where the form was already established in early Germanic medical vocabulary. Related English forms include “splenic,” relating to the spleen, and “splenectomy,” the surgical removal of the organ; “splenomegaly” refers to enlargement of the spleen.
Related word forms
How spleen is actually used
The anatomical sense is standard in medicine and general usage. The figurative sense is now literary or somewhat old-fashioned and often suggests resentful, brooding anger rather than ordinary momentary annoyance.
Easily confused with spleen
“Spleen” is an anatomical organ and can also mean bitter resentment, whereas “splendid” means excellent or magnificent.