Word of the day, November 29: ‘Sanguine’
Word of the day: SANGUINE
Pronunciation: san·guine UK/ˈsæŋ.ɡwɪn/ US/ˈsæŋ.ɡwɪn/
Meaning
‘Sanguine’ means being hopeful, cheerful, and confidently optimistic, even when situations are difficult or uncertain.
A sanguine outlook refers to maintaining positivity in the face of adversity.
Origin and History
The word originates from the Latin sanguis, meaning blood.
In medieval humoral theory, people believed that human behaviour was controlled by four bodily fluids. A person dominated by blood was said to have a sanguine temperament—naturally cheerful, energetic, warm, and hopeful.
Although humoral theory is now outdated, the word sanguine survived and evolved, shifting from describing a bodily temperament to signifying a hopeful, optimistic mindset in modern English.
Cultural significance and modern usage
In English literature, especially stemming from the ancient and medieval theory of the four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), a "sanguine" character is primarily associated with:
Victorians would have perceived the characteristics of through a lens of morality and self-improvement
Today, the word is often used in business, psychology, and media to indicate calm confidence during uncertainty—such as economic downturns, political turmoil, or personal struggles.
Business: Analysts remain sanguine about the market recovery.
Everyday speech: “Despite the setbacks, she stayed sanguine about her future.”
The modern tone usually implies optimism backed by realism, not blind positivity.
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Examples from Literature
- Abigail heard him out about the doomed course of the French Revolution but was somewhat more sanguine: “I ruminate upon France as I lie awake many hours before light,” she wrote.- Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis
- I presume that the sanguine temperament itself and the disturbing influence end in a mentally-accomplished finish; a possibly dangerous man, probably dangerous if unselfish. -Dracula by Bram Stoker
Interesting facts
- The word is sometimes confused with the literal meaning “bloody,” but this older definition is rarely used now except in medical or historical contexts.
- “Sanguine” is often paired with challenges. e.g., sanguine in adversity, sanguine despite difficulties.
- In Shakespeare’s works, the term appears both to indicate physical attributes (ruddy cheeks) and temperament.
- In colour terminology, “sanguine” also refers to a reddish-brown pigment used in classical drawings.
Synonyms
- Positive
- Upbeat
- Buoyant
- Confident
- Cheerful
- Optimistic
Antonyms
- Pessimistic
- Gloomy
- Depressed
- Down
- Discouraged
- Sad
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