Phlegm — (pron en|ˈflεm) is sticky fluid secreted by the mucous membranes of humans and other animals. Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is… … Wikipedia
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
phlegm|y — «FLEHM ee», adjective. 1. like phlegm. 2. characterized by phlegm. 3. = phlegmatic. (Cf. ↑phlegmatic) … Useful english dictionary
phlegm — [flem] n [U] [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: fleume, from Latin phlegma, from Greek, flame, phlegm , from phlegein to burn ] 1.) the thick yellowish substance produced in your nose and throat, especially when you have a cold = ↑mucus 2.)… … Dictionary of contemporary English
phlegm — index disinterest (lack of interest), languor, sloth Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
phlegm — [ flem ] noun uncount 1. ) a thick yellow or green substance that you get in your nose and throat, especially when you have a cold 2. ) FORMAL the ability to be calm in a dangerous or frightening situation … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
phlegm — late 14c., fleem viscid mucus (the stuff itself and also regarded as a bodily humor), from O.Fr. fleume (13c., Fr. flegme), from L.L. phlegma, from Gk. phlegma inflammation, heat, humor caused by heat, from phlegein to burn, related to phlox (gen … Etymology dictionary
phlegm — 1 impassivity, stolidity, apathy, stoicism (see under IMPASSIVE) Analogous words: insensibility, insensitiveness, impassibility, anesthesia (see corresponding adjectives at INSENSIBLE) 2 *equanimity, composure, sangfroid Analogous words:… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
phlegm — meaning ‘a viscous substance discharged by coughing’, is pronounced flem. The g is also silent in the adjective phlegmy, but is pronounced in phlegmatic (fleg mat ik), meaning ‘stolidly calm and unemotional’ … Modern English usage
phlegm — ► NOUN 1) the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages. 2) (in medieval science and medicine) one of the four bodily humours, believed to be associated with a calm or apathetic temperament. 3) calmness… … English terms dictionary
phlegm — [flem] n. [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] 1. the thick, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the… … English World dictionary
