Splenetic
Pronunciation
- US IPA: /spləˈnɛtɪk/Rhymes: -ɛtɪk
Alternative forms
- splenetick obsolete
Origin
The adjective form of spleen, from Late Latin spleneticus. Anger was traditionally believed to originate from the fluids of the spleen.
Full definition of splenetic
Adjective
splenetic
- bad-tempered, irritable, peevish, spiteful, habitually angry
- 1678, Samuel Butler, HudibrasA sect, whose chief devotion lies
In odd perverse antipathies;
...
More peevish, cross, and splenetick,
Than dog distract, or monkey sick. - 1876, George Eliot, Daniel DerondaIn fact, Gwendolen, not intending it, but intending the contrary, had offended her hostess, who, though not a splenetic or vindictive woman, had her susceptibilities.
- (biology) relating to the spleen
- 1879, Sir Samuel White Baker, Cyprus, as I Saw it in 1879I have already described the general protuberance of the abdomen among the children throughout the Messaria and the Carpas districts, all of whom are more or less affected by splenetic diseases.