splenetic

English [edit]

The adjective form of spleen, from Late Latin spleneticus. Anger was traditionally believed to originate from the fluids of the spleen.

splenetic (comparative more splenetic, superlative most splenetic)

bad-tempered, irritable, peevish, spiteful, habitually angry
- 1678, Samuel Butler, Hudibras
  
  A sect, whose chief devotion lies / In odd perverse antipathies; / ... / More peevish, cross, and splenetick, / Than dog distract, or monkey sick.
- 1876, George Eliot, Daniel Deronda
  
  In 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 1879
  
  I 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.

bad-tempered, irritable, peevish, spiteful, habitually angry

of or concerning the spleen

splenetic (plural splenetics)