Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Phlegmatic
Phleg-mat′ic
,Adj.
[L.
phlegmaticus
, Gr. [GREEK]: cf. F. phlegmatique
.] 1.
Watery.
[Obs.]
“Aqueous and phlegmatic.” Sir I. Newton.
2.
Abounding in phlegm;
as,
phlegmatic
humors; a phlegmatic
constitution. Harvey.
3.
Generating or causing phlegm.
“Cold and phlegmatic habitations.” Sir T. Browne.
4.
Not easily excited to action or passion; cold; dull; sluggish; heavy;
as, a
. phlegmatic
personAddison.
Webster 1828 Edition
Phlegmatic
PHLEGMAT'IC
,Adj.
1.
Abounding in phlegm; as phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic constitution.2.
Generating phlegm; as phlegmatic meat.3.
Watery.4.
Cold; dull; sluggish; heavy; not easily excited into action or passion; as a phlegmatic temper or temperament.Definition 2024
phlegmatic
phlegmatic
English
Alternative forms
- phlegmatick
- phlegmaticke
- phlegmatique
Adjective
phlegmatic (comparative more phlegmatic, superlative most phlegmatic)
- Not easily excited to action or passion; calm; sluggish.
- 2013, A.O. Scott, “How It Looks to Think: Watch Her,” Rev. of Hannah Arendt, dir. by Margarethe von Trotta, New York Times 29 May 2013: C1. Print.
- Their friendship (immortalized in a splendid volume of letters that has clearly served as one of Ms. von Trotta's sources) is a fascinating study in cultural and temperamental contrast, an impulsive and witty American paired with a steady, phlegmatic German.
- (archaic) Abounding in phlegm; as, phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic constitution.
- Generating, causing, or full of phlegm.
- Sir Thomas Browne
- cold and phlegmatic habitations
- Sir Thomas Browne
- Watery (clarification of this English definition is being sought).
Synonyms
- (calm and reasonable, tending not to get upset): apathetic, sluggish, cold-blooded, unflappable, stoic
Related terms
Translations
not easily excited to action
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abounding in phlegm
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generating, causing, or full of phlegm
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Noun
phlegmatic (plural phlegmatics)
- One who has a phlegmatic disposition.
Translations
person
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