Phlegmatic

Pronunciation

• IPA: /flɛɡˈmætɪk/
• Rhymes: -ætɪk

Alternative forms

• phlegmatick
• phlegmaticke
• phlegmatique

Origin

From Ancient Greek φλέγμα (phlégma, "phlegma")

Full definition of phlegmatic

Adjective

1. Not easily excited to action or passion; calm; sluggish.
• 1873, Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days Chapter 2, Calm and phlegmatic, with a clear eye, Mr. Fogg seemed a perfect type of that English composure which Angelica Kauffmann has so skilfully represented on canvas.
• 2013, A.O. Scott, “How It Looks to Think: Watch Her,” Rev. of Hannah Arendt (film), 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.
2. (archaic) Abounding in phlegm; as, phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic constitution.
3. Generating, causing, or full of phlegm.
• Sir Thomas Brownecold and phlegmatic habitations
4. Watery.

Synonyms

• calm and reasonable, tending not to get upset: apathetic, sluggish, cold-blooded, unflappable, stoic

Related terms

• phlegm
• phlegmatically

Noun

1. One who has a phlegmatic disposition.