sanguine

Definition

Having the colour of blood; blood red.

Etymology

From Middle English sanguine, from Old French sanguin, ultimately from Latin sanguineus (“of blood”), from sanguis (“blood”) (of uncertain origin, but probably from Proto-Indo-European *h₁sh₂-én-, from *h₁ésh₂r̥ (“blood”), with an obscure suffix such as *-ǵʰ- (related to body parts)) + -inus + -eus. Doublet of sanguineous.

Example Sentences

• "What, what, ye sanguine, shallow-hearted boys!"
• "I'll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this horse-back-breaker, this huge hill of flesh."
• "a sanguine bodily temperament"