temper
Cross references:
1. disposition 2. mood
1. tem.per \'tem-p*r\ \-p(*-)rin\ \-p(*-)r*-b*l\ \-p*r-*r\ vb or
tem.per.ing [ME temperen, fr. OE & OF; OE temprian & OF temprer, fr. L
Xtemperare to moderate, mix, temper; prob. akin to L tempor-, tempus time -
more at TEMPORAL 1: to dilute or soften by the addition of something else :
MODERATEM, SEASON {~ justice with mercy} archaic 2a: to exercise control
over : GOVERN, RESTRAIN 2b: to cause to be well disposed : MOLLIFY 3: to
bring to a suitable state by mixing in or adding a usu. liquid ingre dient
: as 3a: to mix (clay) with water and knead to a uniform texture 3b: to
mix oil with (colors) in making paint ready for use 4a1: to soften
(hardened steel or cast iron) by reheating at a lower tempe rature 4a2: to
harden (steel) by reheating and cooling in oil 4b: to anneal or toughen
(glass) by a process of gradually heating and coo ling 5: to make stronger
and more resilient through hardship : TOUGHEN {troops ~ed in battle} 6a:
to put in tune with something : ATTUNE 6b: to adjust the pitch of (a note,
chord, or instrument) to a temperament : to produce satisfactory temper
(as in a metal) - tem.per.able aj
2. temper n archaic 1a: a suitable proportion or balance of qualities : a
middle state betwee n extremes : MEAN, MEDIUM archaic 1b: CHARACTER,
QUALITY 1c: characteristic tone : TREND, TENDENCY 1d: high quality of
mind or spirit : COURAGE, METTLE 2: the state of a substance with respect
to certain desired qualities (as h ardness, elasticity, or workability) :
as 2a1: the degree of hardness or resiliency given steel by tempering 2a2:
the color of steel after tempering 2b: the feel and relative solidity of
leather 3: a substance added to or mixed with something else to modify the
properti es of the latter : as 3a: any of various mixtures of metals added
to another metal in making an a lloy 3b: the carbon content of steel that
affects its hardening properties 4a: a characteristic cast of mind or
state of feeling : DISPOSITION 4b: calmness of mind : COMPOSURE,
EQUANIMITY 4c: state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time :
HUMOR, MOOD 4d: heat of mind or emotion : proneness to anger : PASSION