a. and sb. Forms: 5–6 splenetyk(e, 6 -ike, -ique, 7–8 -ick, 7– splenetic; 7 spleenetick. [ad. late L. splēnēticus, 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. Phaër, 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., trans. 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. Phaër, 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. trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 72. It cures the Splenetick, being bound to the Spleen with the Dung of a Camel.
† 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-humored, 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, trans. 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 humor, 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-humor.
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. Earl Carlisle, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), III. 118. Forget what I lately wrote to you: it was the overflowing of a splenetic moment.
1806. 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. trans. 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. sb. 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-humored person.
1703. Steele, Tender Husb., III. ii. The Spleneticks Speak just as the Weather lets ’em.
1779. W. 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 Spleneticness, the fact or condition of being splenetic. rare–0.
1727. in Bailey (vol. II.).
