1
: marked by eager hopefulness : confidently optimistic
In the month of August 1994, Democrats remained sanguine about their chances at the polls …—John B. Judis
A lot of attention also is being devoted to the development of vaccines to prevent genital herpes, although not everyone is sanguine about the outcome.—The Journal of the American Medical Association
2
: bloodred
… the radiant heat from the cedar logs, whose sanguine colour made the silvered locks of his hair into a fantastic wreath of flames.—Elinor Wylie
3
a
: consisting of or relating to blood
… some sanguine vessels are obstructed, and distended …—Theophilus Lobb
b
: bloodthirsty, sanguinary
… attacked by the sanguine … warriors of neighboring islands …—Ana Y. Ramos-Zayas
c
: accompanied by, involving, or relating to bloodshed : bloody
… from the numerous graves, including those by the barn, which our shells had destroyed; we realized what a sanguine battle it had been …—Frederick W. Wild
d
of the complexion
: ruddy
She was all unnerved; her naturally sanguine complexion was pale …—Charlotte Brontë
4
: having blood as the predominating bodily humor see humor entry 1 sense 2c
An abundance of red blood was marked by a warm and sanguine temperament; whereas, an excess of yellow bile produced the choleric temperament …—Samuel Lytler Metcalfe
also
: having the bodily conformation and temperament held characteristic of such predominance and marked by sturdiness, healthy red complexion, and cheerfulness
He conceived himself rather as a sanguine and strenuous man, a great fighter. —G. K. Chesterton
: a moderate to strong red
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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