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   phlegm

   /flɛm/

   noun

   • 1. the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages, especially when produced in excessive quantities during a cold. Similar mucuscatarrhmucous secretion
   • ▪ (in medieval science and medicine) one of the four bodily humours, believed to be associated with a calm, stolid, or apathetic temperament.
   • ▪ calmness of temperament: "phlegm and determination carried them through many difficult situations" Similar self-controlcalmnesscalmcoolnesscomposuresangfroidlevel-headednessequanimityserenitytranquillityplacidityplacidnessimpassivityself-possessionself-confidenceself-assurancestoliditystolidnessimperturbabilityimpassivenessdispassionatenessinformal:coolunflappability

   Word Origin Middle Englishfleem, fleume, from Old French fleume, from late Latin phlegma ‘clammy moisture (of the body)’, from Greek phlegma ‘inflammation’, from phlegein ‘to burn’. The spelling change in the 16th century was due to association with the Latin and Greek.

   Derivatives

   • 1. phlegmy adjective

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • P

     3

   • H

     4

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • G

     2

   • M

     3

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