Sangfroid

Pronunciation

• IPA: sɑŋˈfrwÉ‘d, sɑ̃ˈfʁwa

Alternative forms

• sang-froid
• sang froid

Origin

French sang ("blood") + froid ("cold")

Full definition of sangfroid

Noun

1. Composure, self-possession or imperturbability especially when in a dangerous situation.
• 2013-01, Brian Hayes, Father of Fractals, Toward the end of the war, Benoit was sent off on his own with forged papers; he wound up working as a horse groom at a chalet in the Loire valley. Mandelbrot describes this harrowing youth with great sangfroid.
2. He handled the stressful situation with great sangfroid.

Synonyms

• poise
• aplomb
• unflappability

Related terms

• sanguine