sanguine

[ sang-gwin ]
/ ˈsæŋ gwɪn /

adjective

noun

a red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings.

Origin of sanguine

1275–1325; Middle English sanguyne a blood-red cloth < Old French sanguin < Latin sanguineus bloody, equivalent to sanguin-, stem of sanguis blood + -eus -eous

OTHER WORDS FROM sanguine

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sanguine

sanguinary sanguine

Example sentences from the Web for sanguine

British Dictionary definitions for sanguine

sanguine
/ (ˈsæŋɡwɪn) /

adjective

cheerful and confident; optimistic
(esp of the complexion) ruddy in appearance
blood-red
an obsolete word for sanguinary (def. 2)

noun

Also called: red chalk a red pencil containing ferric oxide, used in drawing

Derived forms of sanguine

sanguinely, adverb sanguineness or sanguinity, noun

Word Origin for sanguine

C14: from Latin sanguineus bloody, from sanguis blood

Medical definitions for sanguine

sanguine
[ sănggwĭn ]

adj.

Of a healthy, reddish color; ruddy.
Cheerfully confident; optimistic.
Having blood as the dominant humor in terms of medieval physiology.
Having the temperament and ruddy complexion that was formerly thought to be characteristic of a person dominated by this humor; passionate.