sanguineous

adjective

san·​guin·​e·​ous san-ˈgwi-nē-əs 

saŋ-

1

: bloodred

2

: of, relating to, or involving bloodshed : bloodthirsty

3

: of, relating to, or containing blood

Did you know?

Sanguineous isn't the only English adjective to come from "sanguis," the Latin word for "blood." "Sanguine," for one, has been with us since the 14th century. Nowadays, it usually means "confident" or "optimistic," but it can also mean "ruddy." (The "optimistic" sense stems from the medieval belief that a healthy red complexion denoted a courageous and hopeful temperament.) "Sanguineous" first appeared in the 16th century as a synonym of the "ruddy" sense of "sanguine," but now it's more often used in medical or scientific references to blood. It shares another sense - "bloodthirsty" or "involving bloodshed" - with "sanguinary," yet another "sanguis" descendant."

Synonyms

• bloodthirsty
• bloody
• bloody-minded
• homicidal
• murdering
• murderous
• sanguinary
• sanguine

Examples of sanguineous in a Sentence

in the sanguineous culture of ancient Sparta, military glory was prized above all else

Recent Examples on the Web

The viral TikTok dance sensation inspired by Wednesday star Jenny Ortega’s quirky moves that is set to the sanguineous 2011 Lady Gaga song has blown up so big that even Mother Monster couldn’t resist throwing her black veil into the ring. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin sanguineus

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Medical Definition

sanguineous

adjective

san·​guin·​eous saŋ-ˈgwin-ē-əs  san- 

1

: of, relating to, or containing blood

2

: sanguine sense 2

a sanguineous temperament