Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

temperament

Cross references:
  1. disposition           
 
tem.per.a.ment \'tem-p(*-)r*-m*nt, -p*r-m*nt\ n [ME, fr. L temperamentum, 
   fr. temperare to mix, temper] obs  1a: constitution of a substance, body, 
   or organism with respect to the mixt ure or balance of its elements, 
   qualities, or parts : MAKEUP 1b: COMPLEXION  2a: the peculiar or 
   distinguishing mental or physical character determined  by the relative 
   proportions of the humors according to medieval physiology 2b: 
   characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response 
   (nervous ~} 2c: extremely high sensibility; esp : excessive sensitiveness 
   or ir ritability obs  3a: CLIMATE  3b: TEMPERATURE  4a: the act or process 
   of tempering or modifying : ADJUSTMENT, C OMPROMISE 4b: middle course : 
   MEAN  5: the process of slightly modifying the musical intervals of the 
   pure scal e to produce a set of 12 equally spaced tones to the octave 
   enabling a keyboard instrument to play in all keys