spleen
/spliːn/noun
Middle School
1
In vertebrates, including humans, a ductless vascular gland, located in the left upper abdomen near the stomach, which destroys old red blood cells, removes debris from the bloodstream, acts as a reservoir of blood, and produces lymphocytes.
2
A bad mood; spitefulness. Compare gall.
3
A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim.
4
Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections.
5
A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment.
Sound Patterns & Rhymes
Alliteration
Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)
Assonance
Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing
#archaic#obsolete#rare