1. A spongy highly vascular organ situated near the stomach in humans which forms lymphocytes, produces antibodies, aids in destroying worn-out red cells from the vital body fluid, and purifies it from bacteria and foreign particles: The spleen acts as a filter against foreign organisms that can infect the bloodstream, and which also filters out old red blood cells from the bloodstream and decomposes them.

During stress or at other times when additional blood is needed, the spleen also acts as a blood reservoir as it contracts, forcing stored blood into circulation.

2. A bad mood; spitefulness: Historically spleen was considered the seat of passion or emotion, and so it resulted in the English expression "to vent one's spleen."
3. Etymology: from Greek and Latin , spleen, "the organ" and melancholy "the temperament, an expression of one's anger"; such as, by shouting, which came from the earlier belief that spleen was "the source of bad tempers." © ALL rights are reserved.

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