sanguine

Dictionary

sanguine |ˈsa ng gwin|

adjective

1 cheerfully optimistic : they are not sanguine about the prospect. • (in medieval science and medicine) of or having the constitution associated with the predominance of blood among the bodily humors, supposedly marked by a ruddy complexion and an optimistic disposition. • archaic (of the complexion) florid; ruddy. • archaic bloody or bloodthirsty.

2 poetic/literary & Heraldry blood-red. noun a blood-red color. • a deep red-brown crayon or pencil containing iron oxide. • Heraldry a blood-red stain used in blazoning. DERIVATIVES sanguinely adverb sanguineness noun ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French sanguin(e) ‘blood-red,’ from Latin sanguineus ‘of blood,’ from sanguis, sanguin- ‘blood.’

Thesaurus

sanguine adjective

1 he is sanguine about the advance of technology optimistic, bullish, hopeful, buoyant, positive, confident, cheerful, cheery; informal upbeat. antonym gloomy.

2 archaic : a sanguine complexion. See florid sense 1 .