Phlegm: meaning, definitions and examples

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phlegm

 

[ flem ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical

Thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages and discharged through the mouth, especially that occurring in the lungs and throat during a cold.

Synonyms

mucus, sputum

Examples of usage

  • His cough was accompanied by yellow phlegm.
  • She had difficulty clearing the phlegm from her throat.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A sluggish, calm temperament; not easily excited or angered.

Synonyms

calm, composed

Examples of usage

  • His phlegmatic personality made him a good mediator in conflicts.
  • She approached the situation with phlegm, staying composed under pressure.

Translations

Translations of the word "phlegm" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fleuma

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคฒเค—เคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schleim

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ dahak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปะธะท

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ flegma

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็—ฐ (ใŸใ‚“)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท flegme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ flema

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท balgam

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ€๋ž˜ (garae)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจู„ุบู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hlen

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hlien

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็—ฐ (tรกn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sluz

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hor

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐา›ั‹ั€ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฎแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bษ™lฤŸษ™m

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ flema

Etymology

The word 'phlegm' dates back to ancient Greek medicine, where it was believed to be one of the four bodily humors, along with blood, yellow bile, and black bile. Phlegm was associated with the element of water and the qualities of cold and moist. The concept of phlegm influencing a person's temperament also emerged during this time, with phlegmatic individuals thought to be calm and unemotional. Over the centuries, the understanding of phlegm has evolved to refer specifically to mucus in the respiratory system, as well as a temperament characterized by apathy and sluggishness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,773, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.