Phlegm

Quick meaning: Phlegm is a noun meaning Viscid mucus produced by the body, later especially mucus expelled from the bronchial passages by coughing.

Meaning

Viscid mucus produced by the body, later especially mucus expelled from the bronchial passages by coughing.

More Meanings

1. Calmness of temperament, composure; also seen negatively, sluggishness, indifference.
2. (historical, chemistry, alchemy) A watery distillation, especially one obtained from plant matter; an aqueous solution.
3. (historical) One of the four humors making up the body in ancient and mediaeval medicine; said to be cold and moist, and often identified with mucus.

Example Sentences

Orloff's phlegm broke completely, and he snatched at the monocle as it dropped[.]

Even some members of the new bourgeoisie indulge in conspicuously boorish behavior, like hawking phlegm onto the pavement or picking their noses at business meetings.

But Swedish Nazis also talked of the necessity of saving Sweden from Bolshevism, and with the menacing Berlin radio gnawing in their ears many Swedes lost their Scandinavian phlegm.

The attempts made to analyse vegetable substances previous to 1720, merely produced their resolution into the supposed elements of the chemists of those days, namely, salts, Earths, phlegm, and sulphur.

Word Forms

• phlegms

Synonyms for phlegm

Depending on context, synonyms include indifference, stolidity, impassivity, coolness, imperturbability, emotionlessness.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sputum, coolness, stolidity, imperturbability, impassiveness, emotionlessness.

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