Phlegmatic, a.
Etymology: [L. phlegmaticus, Gr. phlegmatique.]
1. Watery. [Obs.] "Aqueous and phlegmatic." Sir I. Newton.
2. Abounding in phlegm; as, phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic constitution. Harvey.
3. Generating or causing phlegm. "Cold and phlegmatic habitations." Sir T. Browne.
4. Not easily excited to action or passion; cold; dull; sluggish; heavy; as, a phlegmatic person. Addison. Phlegmatic temperament (Old Physiol.), lymphatic temperament. See under Lymphatic.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists phlegmatic only as an antonym, under eager.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given