nounpl: phlegms (rarely used)
fleuma
1. Thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages, especially when coughed up
He coughed up phlegm into a tissue.
Ele tossiu fleuma em um lenço.
2. In medieval medicine, one of the four humors believed to cause sluggishness and apathy
According to ancient medicine, an excess of phlegm made people lethargic.
Segundo a medicina antiga, um excesso de fleuma tornava as pessoas letárgicas.
3. Calmness and lack of emotion; apathy or indifference
Despite the chaos, she maintained her phlegm and composure.
Apesar do caos, ela manteve sua impassibilidade e compostura.
In modern usage, 'phlegm' primarily refers to respiratory mucus and is used in medical contexts in both Brazilian Portuguese and English. The historical meaning related to the four humors is mostly archaic but still appears in literature and historical discussions. The adjective 'phlegmatic' remains more common in everyday language than the noun 'phlegm' when describing someone's emotional demeanor.
Related Idioms & Phrases
phlegmatic disposition - a calm, unemotional temperament
phlegm and bile - old expression referring to emotional balance or imbalance
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