phlegm

[flem]

noun

1. the thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages and discharged through the mouth, especially that occurring in the lungs and throat passages, as during a cold.

2. one of the four elemental bodily humors of medieval physiology, regarded as causing sluggishness or apathy.

3. sluggishness, indifference, or apathy.

   Synonyms: impassiveness
   Antonyms: concern, animation

4. self-possession, calmness, or composure.

phlegm

/ flɛm /

noun

1. the viscid mucus secreted by the walls of the respiratory tract

2. archaic,  one of the four bodily humours

3. apathy; stolidity; indifference

4. self-possession; imperturbability; coolness

phlegm

1. Thick mucus produced by the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory infection.

Other Word Forms

• phlegmless adjective
• phlegmy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phlegm¹

1350–1400; Middle English fleem < Middle French flemme < Late Latin phlegma < Greek phlégma flame, phlegmatic humor, equivalent to phlég ( ein ) to burn + -ma resultative noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of phlegm¹

C14: from Old French fleume, from Late Latin phlegma, from Greek: inflammation, from phlegein to burn

Example Sentences

She said Hannah's reaction "happened quickly" and she was coughing up phlegm.

From BBC

The bacterium that causes tuberculosis glows yellow in this phlegm sample; in orange are possible immune cells from the lung.

From New York Times

Many infections involve dry coughs that don't produce phlegm at all.

From National Geographic

Take humoral theory: In the Middle Ages, the body was thought to consist of four liquid components called humors—blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.

From National Geographic

In this study, experts engineered a living material resembling natural sputum, or phlegm, from CF patients that can grow 3D polymicrobial biofilms in a controlled manner, resembling those found in the CF lung.

From Science Daily