Adjective

1. Having the colour of blood; red.
2. Having a bodily constitution characterised by a preponderance of blood over the other bodily humours, thought to be marked by irresponsible mirth; indulgent in pleasure to the exclusion of important matters.
   • 1592 — Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus iv 2

     What, what, ye sanguine, shallow-hearted boys!

   • 1597 — Shakespeare, 1 Hen IV ii 4

     I'll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine coward, this

     bed-presser, this horse-back-breaker, this huge hill of flesh.

3. Characterized by abundance and active circulation of blood.

   a sanguine bodily temperament

4. Warm; ardent.

   a sanguine temper

5. Anticipating the best; optimistic; not despondent; confident; full of hope.

   sanguine of success

Synonyms

• animated
• assured
• bright
• bullish
• buoyant

• cheerful
• cheery
• confident
• hopeful
• optimistic

• positive
• red
• spirited
• upbeat

Noun

1. Blood colour; red.

2. Anything of a blood-red color, as cloth.
3. Bloodstone.
4. Red crayon. See the Note under crayon, 1.

Verb

1. To stain with blood; to impart the color of blood to; to ensanguine.