noun
spleen
Bitter anger or resentment.
He vents his spleen in an angry letter.
Etymology
Older theories connected the spleen with bodily humors and temperament. The organ-name consequently acquired a figurative meaning of ill temper and resentment.
More examples
- The review was full of spleen.
- She refused to answer his spleen with more anger.
- The speech revealed long-held spleen.
Forms
spleen
Similar words
- resentment
- Resentment emphasizes a grievance.
- spite
- Spite emphasizes a wish to hurt or offend.