spleenful

[ spleen-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of or displaying spleen.
2. ill-humored; irritable or peevish; spiteful; splenetic.

spleenful

/ ˈspliːnfʊl /

adjective

1. affected by spleen; bad-tempered or irritable

Derived Forms

• ˈspleenfully, adverb

Other Words From

• spleenful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spleenful¹

First recorded in 1580–90; spleen + -ful

Example Sentences

That his motive in enlightening his employer upon those matters which went on in his absence was largely spleenful, even revengeful, there could be no doubt.

From Project Gutenberg

His nature was a complex affair, which combined many admirable qualities oddly mixed up with a disposition as sour and spleenful, even revengeful, as well could be.

From Project Gutenberg

A Peugeot had a headlight demolished by a spleenful buffalo; another car hit a giraffe.

From Time Magazine Archive

Therefore, almost everyone in the House of Commons was flabbergasted when Spleenful Snowden cried: "I have never subscribed to the Balfour Note, which I think is an infamous note!"

From Time Magazine Archive

Mounted on panthers' furs, and lions' manes, From rear to van they scour about the plains; A three days' journey in a moment done, And always at the rising of the sun, About the wilds they hunt, with spear and horn, On spleenful unicorn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barbed
• catty
• cruel
• hateful
• malicious
• ornery
• snide
• venomous
• vicious
• vindictive