liver
pronunciation
How to pronounce liver in British English:
UK [ˈlɪvə(r)]
How to pronounce liver in American English:
US [ˈlɪvər]
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- Noun:
- large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and fat; synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood
- liver of an animal used as meat
- a person who has a special life style
- someone who lives in a place
Word Origin
- liver (n.1)
- secreting organ of the body, Old English lifer, from Proto-Germanic *librn (cognates: Old Norse lifr, Old Frisian livere, Middle Dutch levere, Dutch lever, Old High German lebara, German Leber "liver"), perhaps from PIE *leip- "to stick adhere; fat." Formerly believed to be the body's blood-producing organ; in medieval times it rivaled the heart as the supposed seat of love and passion, hence lily-livered. Liver-spots, once thought to be caused by a dysfunction of the organ, is attested from 1730.
- liver (n.2)
- "one who lives (in a particular way)," late 14c., agent noun from live (v.).
Example
- 1. Carotenes are converted into vitamin a in the liver .
- 2. A year ago , he had a liver transplant .
- 3. That disease can ultimately cause liver failure .
- 4. It carries cholesterol from the liver to cells .
- 5. He had a liver transplant in 2009 .