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phlegmmore about phlegm

phlegm


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  phlegm 
  n  1:  calm  and  unruffled  self-assurance;  "he  performed  with  all 
  the  coolness  of  a  veteran"  [syn:  {coolness},  {imperturbability}, 
  {imperturbableness}] 
  2:  apathy  demonstrated  by  an  absence  of  emotional  reactions 
  [syn:  {emotionlessness},  {impassivity},  {impassiveness},  {indifference}, 
  {stolidity},  {unemotionality}] 
  3:  expectorated  matter;  saliva  mixed  with  discharges  from  the 
  respiratory  passages;  in  ancient  and  medieval  physiology 
  it  was  believed  to  cause  sluggishness  [syn:  {sputum}] 




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