noun

1. the thick, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the respiratory tract and discharged from the throat, as during a cold
2. Obsolete that one of the four humors of the body which was believed in medieval times to cause sluggishness or dullness
3. 1. sluggishness or apathy
   2. calmness or composure

Etymology: ME fleume < MFr < LL phlegma, clammy humor of the body < Gr, inflammation, hence, humors caused by inflammation < phlegein, to burn: for IE base see black