splenetic, a. and n.
(splɪˈnɛtɪk)
Forms: 5–6 splenetyk(e, 6 -ike, -ique, 7–8 -ick, 7– splenetic; 7 spleenetick.
[ad. late L. splēnētic-us, f. splēn spleen. So F. splénétique, It. splenetico, Sp. and Pg. esplenetico. See also splenatic a. and splenitic a.
Metrical examples show that down to the beginning of the 19th cent. the stress was on the first syllable, as given by Bailey, Johnson, and early 19th cent. Dicts.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to, connected with, the spleen; splenic. Also fig.
| 1544 T. Phaer Regim. Lyfe (1553) G iv, The passion splenetyke commeth by a colde humoure melancolyke. 1628 Burton Anat. Mel. Democr. to Rdr. (ed. 3) 75 That Spleneticke Hypocondriacall winde..which proceeds from the spleen and short ribbes. 1722–7 Boyer Dict. Royal ii, The Splenetick Vein, or Artery. 1758 J. S. tr. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) Dict., Vas Breve, a Vein passing..to the Splenetick Vein. 1818 Keats Endym. iv. 399 These raven horses, though they foster'd are Of earth's splenetic fire, dully drop Their full-vein'd ears. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 527 Microscopically they were composed of splenetic tissue much pigmented. |
† 2. Affected with, or suffering from, disease or disorder of the spleen; in later use, affected with melancholia or hypochondria.
Obs.| 1544 T. Phaer Regim. Lyfe (1546) H v, The pacient is called splenetike, whiche ye maye knowe by that, that after meate they have payne in theyr left syde. c 1550 H. Lloyd Treas. Health M viij, For them that be splenetike. 1656 Ridgley Pract. Physick 105 They that have a weak Spleen are properly called spleenetick. 1697 J. Sergeant Solid Philos. 200 Splenetick or Maniacal Men can fancy they are made of Glass. 1733 Cheyne Eng. Malady ii. viii. 193 All the Symptoms and Disorders of a splenetick Person will be naturally and readily deduced from too thick and glewy or sharp Juices. 1766 Goldsm. Ess. i. ¶1 If he be splenetic, he may every day meet companions..with whose groans he may mix his own. |
| absol. 1658 Rowland Topsell's Four-f. Beasts 149 The Spleen [of a dog] drunk in Urine, cureth the Spleenetick [1607 spleenatick]. 1750 tr. Leonardus' Mirr. Stones 72 It cures the splenetick, being bound to the spleen. |
† b. Characterized by, tending to produce, melancholy or depression of spirits.
Obs.| a 1700 Evelyn Diary 20 Dec. 1673, They spake of the excellent aire and climate in respect of our cloudy and splenetic country. a 1704 T. Brown Walk round Lond. Wks. 1709 III. iii. 41 To contribute your Assistance in order to expel these Splenetick Vapours. 1759 Goldsm. Polite Learn. xi, They should be made up in our splenetic climate to be taken as physic. 1781 Cowper Conversat. 582 The friend..Whose wit can brighten up a wintry day, And chase the splenetic dull hours away. |
3. Having an irritably morose or peevish disposition or temperament; given or liable to fits of angry impatience or irritability; ill-humoured, testy, irascible. (Freq. in the 18th c.)
| 1592 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. 158, I was never so splenetique when I was most dumpish but I could smile at a frise jest. 1693 Congreve Double-Dealer iv. vi, I don't know whether to be splenetic or airy upon't. 1702 Pope Wife of Bath 90 Now gayly mad, now sourly splenetick, Freakish when well, and fretful when she's sick. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) I. 189 A splenetic woman, who must have somebody to find fault with. 1780 Bentham Princ. Legisl. ii. §5 The fear of future punishment at the hands of a splenetic and revengeful Deity. 1841 Dickens Barn. Rudge xli, Neighbours who had got up splenetic that morning, felt good-humour stealing on them as they heard it. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. i. v, Her hostess who, though not a splenetic or vindictive woman, had her susceptibilities. |
| absol. 1756 C. Smart tr. Horace, Sat. ii. v. (1826) II. 147 By voluntary garrulity you will offend the splenetic and morose. 1829 I. Taylor Enthus. viii. 207 The disappointed, the splenetic, and the fanatical. |
b. Of humour, temper, etc.
| 1712 Steele Spect. No. 392 ¶3 Tho' his splenetick contracted Temper made him take fire immediately. 1759 Dilworth Pope 115 His splenetic turn of mind adapted him for the sequestered life he was so fond of. c 1820 S. Rogers Italy, Foreign Trav. (1836) 169 It was in a splenetic humour that I sat me down. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. i. iv, She had an amazing power of gratifying her splenetic or worldly-minded humours by extolling her own family. |
4. Characterized by, arising from, displaying or exhibiting, spleen or ill-humour.
| 1693 Dryden Juvenal Ded. (1726) p. xliv, Horace seems to have purg'd himself from those splenetick Reflections in those Odes and Epodes. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xi. i, To write within such severe rules as these, is as impossible as to live up to some splenetic opinions. 1775 in Jesse Selwyn & Contemp. (1844) III. 118 Forget what I lately wrote to you: it was the overflowing of a splenetic moment. 1806 T. S. Surr Winter in Lond. II. 159 In a moment of splenetic pride the jewels were dispatched. 1862 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xi. iii. III. 77 His envies, deep-hidden splenetic discontents and rages. 1899 E. Gosse Life J. Donne I. 44 The poem closes with an outburst of splenetic raillery. |
† 5. Of medicines: Acting on, good for, the spleen.
Obs.| 1658 Sir T. Browne Gard. Cyrus iv, The Splenetick medicine of Galen. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. iii. 92 If the Spleen be affected, splenetick Medicines must be added. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Water, Splenetic Waters, are those proper against Diseases of the Spleen. |
B. n. 1. † a. One who suffers from disease or disorder of the spleen.
Obs.| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xlv. (Bodl. MS.), In drinke it [urine] halpeþ splenetikes & clenseþ roted woundes. c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. viii. 125 This wyn..solueth fleume and helpith splenetyk. 1728 in Chambers Cycl. |
b. One who has a splenetic disposition; a splenetic, peevish, or ill-humoured person.
| 1703 Steele Tender Husb. iii. ii, The Spleneticks Speak just as the Weather lets 'em. 1779 Alexander Hist. Women Introd. (1782) I. p. viii, The subject upon which satirists had discharged their wit, and splenetics their ill-humour. 1784 Unfortunate Sensibility I. 144, I cannot see why any poor splenetic should interfere. |
† 2. A splenetic medicine or remedy.
Obs.| c 1643 Ld. Herbert Autobiog. (1824) 38 They that are subject to the Spleen from their ancestors ought to use those herbs that are splenetics. 1718 Quincy Compl. Disp. 121 It is commended..for a most noble Epatick, Splenetick, and Vulnerary. |
Hence
spleˈneticness, the fact or condition of being splenetic.
rare—0.
| 1727 in Bailey (vol. II). |