phlegm
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phlegm
(flĕm)n.
1. Thick, sticky, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory infection.
2. One of the four humors of ancient and medieval physiology, thought to cause sluggishness, apathy, and evenness of temper.
3. Sluggishness of temperament.
4. 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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
phlegm
(flɛm)n
1. (Physiology) the viscid mucus secreted by the walls of the respiratory tract
2. (Physiology) archaic one of the four bodily humours
3. apathy; stolidity; indifference
4. self-possession; imperturbability; coolness
[C14: from Old French fleume, from Late Latin phlegma, from Greek: inflammation, from phlegein to burn]
ˈphlegmy adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
phlegm
(flɛm)n.
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 or apathy.
4. calmness; composure.
[1350–1400; Middle English fleem < Middle French flemme < Late Latin phlegma < Greek phlégma flame, phlegmatic humor =phlég(ein) to burn + -ma resultative n. suffix]
phlegm′y, adj. phlegm•i•er, phlegm•i•est.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
phlegm
(flĕm) Mucus produced by the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
phlegm
- Comes from Latin phlegma, "clammy moisture," and Greek phlegma, "inflammation."See also related terms for inflammation.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | phlegm - apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions apathy - an absence of emotion or enthusiasm |
2. | phlegm - expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness mucous secretion, mucus - protective secretion of the mucus membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium | |
3. | phlegm - inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy; "the general appearance of sluggishness alarmed his friends" inertia, inactiveness, inactivity - a disposition to remain inactive or inert; "he had to overcome his inertia and get back to work" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
phlegm
noun
1. mucus, catarrh, sputum, mucous secretion Symptoms include vomiting and excess phlegm.
2. self-control, composure, coolness, cool (informal), calm, coldness, calmness, equanimity, self-assurance, self-possession, sangfroid, frostiness, level-headedness, unflappability (informal), stolidness They're taking it with the apathetic calm which many mistake for British phlegm.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
phlegm
nounLack of emotion or interest:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
بَلْغَم
hlen
slim
slejm
kvefslím
flegmatiškasskrepliai
krēpas
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
phlegm
n (= mucus) → Schleim m; (obs: = humour) → Phlegma nt; (fig) (= coolness) → Gemütsruhe f, → stoische Ruhe; (= stolidness) → Trägheit f, → Schwerfälligkeit f, → Phlegma nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
phlegm
(flem) noun thick, slimy liquid brought up from the throat by coughing.
phlegmatic (flegˈmatik) adjective calm; not easily excited. She's very phlegmatic – nothing would ever make her panic.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
phlegm
n. flema.
mucus;
uno de los cuatro humores del cuerpo.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
phlegm
n flema (frec. pl)English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.