Word of the Day

Thursday, December 09, 1999

sang-froid

\sang-FRWAH\ , noun;

also sangfroid

Freedom from agitation or excitement of mind; coolness in trying circumstances; calmness.

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Quotes:

The Treasury Secretary's sang-froid in moments of crisis.

-- "Keeping the Boom From Busting", New York Times, July 19, 1998

Both men were mightily impressed by the calmness of the Americans on board, particularly among the women. "I had, during my sojourn in America," Beaumont said later, "a thousand occasions to see the sang-froid of the American."

-- Michael Kammen, "Wrecked on the Fourth of July", New York Times, July 6, 1997

Gaviria knew Alberto as an impulsive but cordial man capable of maintaining his sangfroid under the most stressful circumstances.

-- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, News of a Kidnapping

Origin:

Sang-froid is from the French; it literally means "cold blood" (sang, "blood" + froid, "cold").