—adj.
1 optimistic; confident.
2 (of the complexion) florid; bright; ruddy.
3 hist. of a ruddy complexion with a courageous and hopeful amorous disposition.
4 hist. of the temperament in which blood predominates over the other humours.
5 Heraldry or literary blood red.
6 archaic bloody; bloodthirsty.
—n.
1 a blood-red colour.
2 a crayon of chalk coloured red or flesh with iron oxide.
Derivatives:
sanguinely adv. sanguineness n. (both in sense 1 of n.).
Etymology: ME f. OF sanguin -ine blood-red f. L sanguineus (as SANGUINARY)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.