splenetic
Pronunciation
/splɛnˈɛɾɪk/

Definition & Meaning of "splenetic"in English

Splenetic
01

a person habitually irritable, spiteful, or angry

splenetic definition and meaning
Formal
Offensive
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Human
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
splenetics

What is the origin of the term "splenetic" and how is it used?

"Splenetic" is a term used to describe a person who is habitually irritable, spiteful, or angry. It comes from the Latin spleneticus and the Greek splēn, meaning "spleen," because the spleen was historically believed to be the source of anger and ill temper in the body. The word has been used in English since at least the 16th century to describe a bad-tempered disposition. It is mildly derogatory, mostly appearing in literary, formal, or humorous contexts rather than as a harsh insult.

Examples
That splenetic yelled at everyone over minor mistakes.
splenetic
01

relating to the spleen

Old use
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
relational
ungradable
02

easily angered or annoyed

Formal
Examples
She avoided him because of his splenetic reactions to minor annoyances.
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