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phlegm

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Phlegm is defined as mucus in the back of your throat or your respiratory passages, or a sluggish or calm temperament.

(noun)

When you have a cold and your mucus membranes start acting up and producing a lot of gunk in your throat that you cough up, this gunk that you cough up is an example of phlegm.
When you face a harsh situation and you don't get emotional or excited but instead you remain calm and steadfast to resolve the problem, this is an example of phlegm.

See phlegm in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the thick, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the respiratory tract and discharged from the throat, as during a cold
Obsolete that one of the four humors of the body which was believed in medieval times to cause sluggishness or dullness
1. sluggishness or apathy
2. calmness or composure

Origin: ME fleume < MFr < LL phlegma, clammy humor of the body < Gr, inflammation, hence, humors caused by inflammation < phlegein, to burn: for IE base see black

Related Forms:

phlegmy adjective phlegmier, phlegmiest

See phlegm in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English fleume, mucous discharge, the humor phlegm

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Medieval Latin phlegma, flegma

Origin: , from Late Latin phlegma, the humor phlegm

Origin: , from Greek, heat, the humor phlegm

Origin: , from phlegein, to burn

Related Forms: