phlegm definition | Dictionary.com

phlegm

[flem]

–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

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

phlegm (flěm) Pronunciation Key
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.
Sluggishness of temperament.
Calm self-possession; equanimity.

[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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

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.
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The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

phlegm (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.
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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.
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Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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