sanguine
optimistic or cheerful
Root
- sanguin: blood
Other words with the sanguin root
- consanguineous: related by blood
- consanguinity: relationship by blood
- sanguinary: bloodthirsty or involving bloodshed
- sanguineous: blood-red or containing blood
Sanguin gives blood. Old temperament theory tied blood to cheerful confidence; sanguine now means optimistic.
Even after the first rejection, she remained sanguine about her chances.
Sanguine is a strange but memorable drift: blood becomes temperament, then optimism. Put it beside sanguinary and the contrast locks in. Sanguine smiles; sanguinary bleeds.