PHLEGMATIC:"having or showing a slow and stolid temperament; not easily excited to action or display of emotion"

"Phlegmatic" is an adjective used to describe an individual who remains calm and unexpressive in the face of challenges, showing a temperament characterized by sluggishness, apathy, or emotional coolness.

Etymology: The word "phlegmatic" has its roots in ancient Greek medicine. It is derived from the Greek word "phlegma," which refers to phlegm, one of the four bodily fluids believed to influence a person's temperament in ancient medical theory.

Sample Sentences:

  1. In times of crisis, she remained phlegmatic and composed, never showing panic.

  2. His phlegmatic response to the news surprised those who expected a more emotional reaction.

  3. The phlegmatic demeanor of the detective made it difficult to discern his thoughts.

  4. Even in stressful situations, he maintained a phlegmatic attitude, rarely displaying agitation.

  5. Her phlegmatic nature served her well in high-pressure work environments.

Synonyms: calm, stoic, unemotional

Antonyms: excitable, passionate, emotional


The following is quoted from:
Blistein, Elmer M. "Humor." Encyclopedia Americana. 2007. Grolier Online. 13 Aug. 2007 .

Humor, in modern usage, means the comic or laughable. The term itself is the Latin word for "liquid,""fluid," or "moisture." The evolution to its present meaning is historically interesting.

Ancient, medieval, and Renaissance physiology tended to see a person's temperament in balance when the four humors (fluids) of his body (yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm) were in proper proportion. When one fluid exceeded its normal amount, a disproportion resulted. The individual in whom this disproportion occurred would be in a choleric humor if yellow bile were predominant in his system, in a melancholy humor if black bile were predominant, in a sanguine humor if blood were predominant, and in a phlegmatic humor if phlegm were predominant. Whatever humor predominated, the lack of balance indicated a deviation from normal, an excess that required correction.




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