liver English · revision 7052

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=c. 888|origins=gem-pro *librō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlɪvə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈlɪvɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|lifer]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[gem-pro|*librō]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) source also of Old Norse [[m|non|lifr]], Old Frisian livere, Dutch [[m|nl|lever]] and German [[m|de|Leber]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) perhaps from PIE [[ine-pro|*leyp-|alt=*leip-|t=to stick, adhere; fat]], also the root of Greek lipos, fat;^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Hoad finds no certain cognates.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The large glandular organ: about 888 in the OED, before 899, in Alfred's translation of Boethius, in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In medieval times the liver rivalled the heart as the supposed seat of love and passion.^(Etymonline) A white, bloodless liver was thought a sign of cowardice (1390), hence [[lily-livered]].^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Disposition or temperament is from 1800,^(OED 1989) and a liver complaint from 1805.^(OED 1989) The liver as food is a common later use.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) ''Liver spots'', once thought caused by a disordered liver, are from 1730.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 888 – the organ.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1390 – a white liver, cowardice.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1730 – liver spots.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1805 – a liver complaint.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large [[gland]] in the abdomen that secretes [[bile]] and processes nutrients and toxins.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The liver of an animal, eaten as food.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A reddish-brown colour.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[liverless]]

+ * [[liverwurst]]

+ * [[liverwort]]

+ * [[liverish]]

+ * [[lily-livered]]

+ * [[liverleaf]]

+ * [[liver sausage]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[hepatic]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate liver, a person who lives in a particular way, as ''a clean liver'', is from the late 14th century, from [[live]] and [[-er]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}