What does phlegm mean?

Definitions for phlegm
flɛmphlegm

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word phlegm.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. emotionlessness, impassivity, impassiveness, phlegm, indifference, stolidity, unemotionalitynoun

    apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions

  2. phlegm, sputumnoun

    expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness

  3. languor, lethargy, sluggishness, phlegm, flatnessnoun

    inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy

    "the general appearance of sluggishness alarmed his friends"

Wiktionary

  1. phlegmnoun

    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.

  2. phlegmnoun

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

  3. phlegmnoun

    A watery distillation, especially one obtained from plant matter; an aqueous solution.

  4. phlegmnoun

    Calmness of temperament, composure; also seen negatively, sluggishness, indifference.

  5. Etymology: From fleume, phlegme (French flegme), and their source, phlegma, from φλέγμα, from φλέγειν. Compare phlox, flagrant, flame, bleak (adjective), fulminate.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. PHLEGMnoun

    Etymology: φλέγμα; phlegme, Fr.

    Make the proper use of each extreme,
    And write with fury, but correct with phlegm. Wentworth Dillon.

    He who supreme in judgment, as in wit,
    Might boldly censure, as he boldly writ,
    Yet judg’d with coolness, though he sung with fire; Our critics take a contrary extreme,
    They judge with fury, but they write with phle’m. Alexander Pope.

    Let melancholy rule supreme,
    Choler preside, or blood or phlegm. Jonathan Swift.

    A linen cloth, dipped in common spirit of wine, is not burnt by the flame, because the phlegm of the liquor defends the cloth. Boyle.

ChatGPT

  1. phlegm

    Phlegm is a type of mucus produced by the respiratory system, generally in response to infection, inflammation, or irritation. It is often thicker and stickier than normal mucus and may be expelled from the body by coughing or clearing the throat. Its color and consistency can vary and can serve as indicators of specific health conditions.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Phlegmadjective

    one of the four humors of which the ancients supposed the blood to be composed. See Humor

  2. Phlegmadjective

    viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory and digestive passages

  3. Phlegmadjective

    a watery distilled liquor, in distinction from a spirituous liquor

  4. Phlegmadjective

    sluggishness of temperament; dullness; want of interest; indifference; coldness

  5. Etymology: [F. phlegme, flegme, L. phlegma, fr. Gr. fle`gma a flame, inflammation, phlegm, a morbid, clammy humor in the body, fr. fle`gein to burn. Cf. Phlox, Flagrant, Flame, Bleak, a., and Fluminate.]

Wikidata

  1. Phlegm

    Phlegm is a liquid secreted by the mucous membranes of mammalians. Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing. Phlegm is in essence a water-based gel consisting of glycoproteins, immunoglobulins, lipids and other substances. Its composition varies depending on climate, genetics, and state of the immune system. Its color can vary from transparent to pale or dark yellow and green, from light to dark brown, and even to dark grey depending on the constituents.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Phlegm

    flem, n. one of the four elements of which the ancients supposed the blood to be composed: the thick, slimy matter secreted in the throat, and discharged by coughing: sluggishness: indifference: calmness.—adj. Phlegmagogic (fleg-ma-goj′ik).ns. Phleg′magogue, a medicine expelling phlegm; Phlegmā′sia, inflammation, esp. Phlegmasia dolens, puerperal tumid leg.—adjs. Phlegmat′ic, -al, abounding in or generating phlegm: cold: sluggish: not easily excited.—adv. Phlegmat′ically.—n. Phleg′mon, inflammation in the connective tissue.—adjs. Phleg′monoid; Phlegm′y. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. phlegma, phlegmatosphlegein, to burn.]

Surnames Frequency by Census Records

  1. PHLEGM

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Phlegm is ranked #153769 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Phlegm surname appeared 106 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Phlegm.

    90.5% or 96 total occurrences were Black.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of phlegm in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of phlegm in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of phlegm in a Sentence

  1. A.E. Samaan:

    The Earth is nothing but phlegm spat out by the Sun, and our immediate solar system a whirlwind of boulders. There is no delicate balance.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

phlegm#10000#77967#100000

Translations for phlegm

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"phlegm." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/phlegm>.

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    pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
    A handsome
    B dependable
    C abrupt
    D brilliant

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