phlegm
/flɛm/ noun C2- 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.
Plural phlegms
From the library
I gave her every drop of ipecac in that bottle and when the last dose went down I said to myself--not to Diana or Young Mary Joe, because I didn’t want to worry them any more than they were worried, but I had to say it to myself just to relieve my feelings--‘This is the last lingering hope and I fear, tis a vain one.’ But in about three minutes she coughed up the phlegm and began to get better right away.
The Englishman received his thanks with the phlegm peculiar to his nation; and Morrel, overwhelming him with grateful blessings, conducted him to the staircase.
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