equanimity

equanimity, composure, sangfroid, phlegm mean the mental temper of one who is self-possessed or not easily disturbed or perturbed.

Equanimity suggests either a proper mental balance or a constitutionally equable temper; it therefore may imply either a delicate adjustment of one's emotional and mental powers that is liable to disturbance only under great strain or a settled attitude of mind which repels all that disturbs

{

his placidity of demeanor . . . arose from . . . the equanimity of a cold disposition rather than of one well ordered by discipline— Trollope

}

{

it was some time before Wildeve recovered his equanimity— Hardy

}

{

stoicism teaches men ... to accept with proud equanimity the misfortunes of life— Inge

}

Composure commonly implies the conquest of mental agitation or disturbance by an effort of will, though it may imply a temperamental freedom from agitation

{

his passions tamed and all at his control, how perfect the composure of his soul!— Cowper

}

{

we have to call upon our whole people—men, women, and children alike—to stand up with composure and fortitude to the fire of the enemy— Sir Winston Churchill

}

Sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness especially under strain

{

no being ever stood in a pedagogue's presence with more perfect sangfroid— Disraeli

}

{

at all these [gambling games] she won and lost, with the same equable sangfroid— Rose Macaulay

}

Phlegm suggests an apathy of mind or sluggishness of temperament that results from a physical condition rather than from discipline or self-control; it therefore suggests even greater imperturbability and insensitiveness than any of the preceding terms

{

he chose the eldest daughter whose numb composure he mistook for phlegm— Patton

}

{

there was a busy, bustling, disputatious tone about it, instead of the accustomed phlegm and drowsy tranquillity— Irving

}

Analogous words: poise, equipose, *balance, equilibrium: self-possession, self-assurance, aplomb (see CONFIDENCE): tranquillity, serenity, placidity, calmness (see corresponding adjectives at CALM)

Contrasted words: discomposure, agitation, disquieting or disquiet, perturbing or perturbation, disturbance (see corresponding verbs at DISCOMPOSE)