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phlegm 
Audio Help [flem] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
Audio Help [flem] Pronunciation Key –noun
| 1. | the thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages and discharged through the mouth, esp. 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. |
| 4. | self-possession, calmness, or composure. |
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME fleem < MF flemme < LL phlegma < Gk phlégma flame, phlegmatic humor, equiv. to phlég(ein) to burn + -ma resultative n. suffix]
] —Related forms
phlegmless, adjective
—Synonyms 3. impassivity.
—Antonyms 3. animation, concern.
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
phlegm
To learn more about phlegm visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| phlegm
Audio Help (flěm) Pronunciation Key
n.
[Middle English fleume, mucous discharge, the humor phlegm, from Old French, from Medieval Latin phlegma, flegma, from Late Latin phlegma, the humor phlegm, from Greek, heat, the humor phlegm, from phlegein, to burn.] phlegm'y adj. |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
phlegm
1387, fleem "viscid mucus" (the stuff itself and also regarded as a bodily humor), from O.Fr. fleume (13c., Fr. flegme), from L.L. phlegma, from Gk. phlegma "inflammation, heat, humor caused by heat," from phlegein "to burn," related to phlox (gen. phlogos) "flame, blaze," from PIE base *bhleg- "to burn, be hot" (cf. Skt. bhrajate "shines," L. fulgere "to shine," fulmen "lightning," flagrare "to burn;" see black). 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, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| phlegm | |
noun | |
| 1. | apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions [syn: emotionlessness] |
| 2. | expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness |
| 3. | inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy; "the general appearance of sluggishness alarmed his friends" [syn: languor] |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
phlegm [flem] noun
thick, slimy liquid brought up from the throat by coughing
See also: phlegmatic
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| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
| phlegm
Audio Help (flěm) Pronunciation Key
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 © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
phlegm (flěm)
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.
phlegm'y adj.
| The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. |
Main Entry: phlegm
Pronunciation: 'flem
Function: noun
1 : the one of the four humors of ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be coldand moist and to cause sluggishness
2 : viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory passages
| Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Phlegm
Phlegm\, n. [F. phlegme, flegme, L. phlegma, fr. Gr. ? a flame, inflammation, phlegm, a morbid, clammy humor in the body, fr. ? to burn. Cf. Phlox, Flagrant, Flame, Bleak, a., and Fluminate.]1. One of the four humors of which the ancients supposed the blood to be composed. See Humor. --Arbuthnot. 2. (Physiol.) Viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory and digestive passages. 3. (Old Chem.) A watery distilled liquor, in distinction from a spirituous liquor. --Crabb. 4. Sluggishness of temperament; dullness; want of interest; indifference; coldness. They judge with fury, but they write with phlegm. --Pope.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
phlegm
phlegm: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary
| On-line Medical Dictionary, © 1997-98 Academic Medical Publishing & CancerWEB |
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