phlegm
[ flem ]
/ flɛm /
noun
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.
one of the four elemental bodily humors of medieval physiology, regarded as causing sluggishness or apathy.
sluggishness, indifference, or apathy.
self-possession, calmness, or composure.
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RELATED WORDS
lethargy, coolness, stoicism, unresponsiveness, stolidity, disinterest, dispassion, impassivity, dullness, unconcern, passiveness, stolidness, insensibility, listlessness, detachment, indifference, aloofness, coldness, disregard, lassitude
Nearby words
- phlebotomus,
- phlebotomus fever,
- phlebotomus fever virus,
- phlebotomy,
- phlegethon,
- phlegmasia,
- phlegmasia alba dolens,
- phlegmasia cerulea dolens,
- phlegmatic,
- phlegmon
Origin of phlegm
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for phlegm
phlegm
/ (flɛm) /
noun
the viscid mucus secreted by the walls of the respiratory tract
archaic one of the four bodily humours
apathy; stolidity; indifference
self-possession; imperturbability; coolness
Word Origin for phlegm
C14: from Old French fleume, from Late Latin phlegma, from Greek: inflammation, from phlegein to burn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
phlegm
late 14c., fleem "viscid mucus" (the stuff itself and also regarded as a bodily humor), from Old French fleume (13c., Modern French flegme), from Late Latin phlegma, one of the four humors of the body, from Greek phlegma "humor caused by heat," lit "inflammation, heat," from phlegein "to burn," related to phlox (genitive phlogos) "flame, blaze," from PIE *bhleg- "to shine, flash," from root *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn" (see bleach (v.)). Modern form is attested from c.1660. The "cold, moist" humor of the body, in medieval physiology, it was believed to cause apathy.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
phlegm
[ flĕm ]
n.
Thick, sticky, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory infection.
One of the four humors of ancient and medieval physiology, thought to cause sluggishness, apathy, and evenness of temper.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
phlegm
[ flĕm ]
Thick mucus produced by the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory infection.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.