liver Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: medicalAH Medical Dictionary
liver1 definition

liver (liv′ər)

noun

  1. the largest glandular organ in vertebrate animals, located in the upper or anterior part of the abdomen: it secretes bile, has an important function in the storage and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and helps detoxify many poisonous substances that may be ingested
  2. loosely a similar organ or tissue in invertebrate animals
  3. the liver of cattle, fowl, etc., used as food
  4. the reddish-brown color of liver
  5. Archaic the liver thought of as the seat of emotion or desire

Etymology: ME livere < OE lifer, akin to Ger leber < ? IE base *leip-, to smear with fat > Gr liparos, fat

liver2 definition

liver (liv′ər)

noun

a person who lives (in a specified way or place) a clean liver

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical liver definition - medical

liver Synonyms

liver

n.

innard, glandular organ, vital part; see organ 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

liver Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • detoxify: Over time, this has an effect on the emotions since detoxifying the liver can lift depressive, angry or sad moods.

Converse of subject

  • metabolize: The drug is metabolized by the liver but the efficiency of this process has little bearing on the anesthetic duration of action.

Adjective modifier

  • fatty: Minimal change, or fatty liver: heavy drinkers often develop fatty change in the liver.

Modifies a noun

  • transplant: Liver transplants are not possible for people who have secondary liver cancer.

Noun used with modifier

  • cod: Well I have to say I think Goldshield's cod liver oil capsules have helped to keep my joints a bit more flexible.

Possessives

  • calf: Best dish: pan-fried calf's liver with buttered onions, crispy bacon and balsamic dressing with garlic mash.
liver usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

liver quotes

Life loves the liver of it. Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise

-Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

Homosexuality wasthebadge oftheupperclass and the sign of a revolt against it; and it is small wonder that someone locked for a lifetime in this impossible contradiction should end up with cirrhosis of the liver.

-Eagleton,Terry

Mr. Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls. He liked thick giblet soup, nutty gizzards, a stuffed roast heart; liver slices fried with crustcrumbs, fried hencod's roes. Most of all he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly scented urine.

-Joyce,James Augustine Aloysius

liver quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"liver." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/liver>

APA Style

liver. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/liver

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment