(of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.
‘the phlegmatic British character’
‘If we are as phlegmatic as we like to believe would we revel so conspicuously in our tragedy?’
‘However, he is a phlegmatic character, not fitting the crude European stereotype of a South American, and even in Spain they originally considered his style more North European than Mediterranean.’
‘Not that this is likely to perturb a phlegmatic character whose first start against Rangers feels as if it has been a long time coming, following substitute appearances in the past three derbies.’
‘Bombing his own men and planes was more than even the most phlegmatic observer could stomach, and it looked like the end for him…’
‘He is undoubtedly one of the most phlegmatic sportsmen in the world.’
‘He is also phlegmatic on the subject of his dealings with Hollywood.’
‘It's almost unbelievably fitting that these supremely phlegmatic men live in Spitalfields.’
‘Yet even his phlegmatic character would have been bewildered by the mountain of a task which he had roped himself into.’
‘He was phlegmatic and dutiful, with a wry sense of humor.’
‘It becomes even more acute when viewed through the eyes of phlegmatic observers whose upper lips have been conditioned to stiffness from their earliest years!’
‘Overall, he is phlegmatic about his departure from Goodbody's.’
‘The masculine heroes are phlegmatic, resourceful and stoical.’
‘British governments maintained their phlegmatic calm and resisted provocation.’
‘But while, to the outside world, he appeared as phlegmatic and calmly in control as ever, behind the scenes it was a different story.’
‘The fact that they did so without any great fuss and noise seems to me to be a tribute to the phlegmatic Scottish character and should not be seen as a psychological fault.’
‘Looking back at my review of Mourning Becomes Electra's debut, I notice that I complained of the opera's uncertain dramatic pacing and the music's phlegmatic, anonymous character.’
‘Macha is 145 pounds of phlegmatic composure, a St. Bernard who can't help but look dignified and profound, even when she is waiting for a treat.’
‘But not for Zander, an impressively phlegmatic young character who just takes that kind of publicity in his stride.’
‘‘Obviously I want to play, but I understand the manager's situation,’ was his phlegmatic reaction.’
‘Famous for his well-honed aphorisms, Burt's phlegmatic response to such negative developments was to say: ‘If you don't try things, you're doomed to failure’.’
self-possessed, composed, collected, calm, cool, calm, and collected, as cool as a cucumber, cool-headed, self-controlled, poised, tranquil, serene, relaxed, easy-going, unexcitable, even-tempered, placid, sedate, phlegmatic
Middle English (in the sense ‘relating to the humour phlegm’): from Old French fleumatique, via Latin from Greek phlegmatikos, from phlegma ‘inflammation’ (see phlegm).
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