ENGLISH
REFERENCE

liver

n. · adj.
US //ˈɫɪvɝ// UK //lˈɪvɐ// liv·er
  1. 1 body organ (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    a large organ in your body that cleans your blood and helps you digest food.

    a large glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates, involved in many metabolic processes and the secretion of bile.

    Example

    Drinking too much alcohol over many years can damage your liver.

    Example

    The surgeon noted that the patient's liver appeared healthy and was functioning normally despite the previous infection.

  2. 2 food (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    the liver of an animal, like a cow or chicken, eaten as food.

    the organ of an animal used as a culinary ingredient, often valued for its high iron and vitamin content.

    Example

    She cooked liver and onions for dinner because it is full of iron.

    Example

    The chef prepared a delicate calf's liver, pan-seared and served with a reduction of balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs.
    • offal
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  1. 3 someone who lives (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a person who lives their life in a particular way.

    an agent noun referring to a person who lives or conducts their life in a specified manner.

    Example

    He was known as a high liver who spent all his money on parties.

    Example

    In the Victorian novel, the protagonist is described as a clean liver who avoided the temptations of the city.
  2. 4 colour (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    having a dark reddish-brown colour.

    of a dark brown colour with a slight reddish or greyish tint, resembling the organ.

    Example

    The dog had a beautiful liver-coloured coat that shone in the sun.

    Example

    The breed standard specifies that the spaniel must have liver markings rather than black ones.
Etymology 1

From Middle English lyvere, lyver, from Old English lifer (“liver”), from Proto-West Germanic libru, from Proto-Germanic librō, from Proto-Indo-European leyp- (“to smear, smudge, stick”), from Proto-Indo-European ley- (“to be slimy, be sticky, glide”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Líeuwer, Lieuwer (“liver”), West Frisian lever (“liver”), Dutch lever (“liver”), German Leber (“liver”), Danish, Norwegian and Swedish lever (“liver”) (the last three from Old Norse lifr (“liver”)). Related to live.

Etymology 2

From Middle English lyvere, livere, equivalent to live + -er.

Etymology 3

From live (adjective) + -(e)r.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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