phlegm

Meaning

Noun

• 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.
• Viscid mucus produced by the body, later especially mucus expelled from the bronchial passages by coughing.
• A watery distillation, especially one obtained from plant matter; an aqueous solution.
• Calmness of temperament, composure; also seen negatively, sluggishness, indifference.

Origin

• From Middle English flewme, fleume, fleme, from Old French fleume, Middle French flemme (French flegme), and their source, Latin phlegma, from Ancient Greek φλέγμα, from φλέγειν. Compare phlox, flagrant, flame, bleak, fulminate. Spelling later altered to resemble the word's Latin and Greek roots.