Temper
- Temper
- Temper Tem"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tempered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Tempering}.] [AS. temprian or OF. temper, F. temp['e]rer,
and (in sense 3) temper, L. temperare, akin to tempus time.
Cf. {Temporal}, {Distemper}, {Tamper}.]
1. To mingle in due proportion; to prepare by combining; to
modify, as by adding some new element; to qualify, as by
an ingredient; hence, to soften; to mollify; to assuage;
to soothe; to calm.
[1913 Webster]
Puritan austerity was so tempered by Dutch
indifference, that mercy itself could not have
dictated a milder system. --Bancroft.
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Woman! lovely woman! nature made thee
To temper man: we had been brutes without you.
--Otway.
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But thy fire
Shall be more tempered, and thy hope far higher.
--Byron.
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She [the Goddess of Justice] threw darkness and
clouds about her, that tempered the light into a
thousand beautiful shades and colors. --Addison.
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2. To fit together; to adjust; to accomodate.
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Thy sustenance . . . serving to the appetite of the
eater, tempered itself to every man's liking.
--Wisdom xvi.
21.
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3. (Metal.) To bring to a proper degree of hardness; as, to
temper iron or steel.
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The tempered metals clash, and yield a silver sound.
--Dryden.
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4. To govern; to manage. [A Latinism & Obs.]
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With which the damned ghosts he governeth,
And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth. --Spenser.
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5. To moisten to a proper consistency and stir thoroughly, as
clay for making brick, loam for molding, etc.
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6. (Mus.) To adjust, as the mathematical scale to the actual
scale, or to that in actual use.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To soften; mollify; assuage; soothe; calm.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
2000.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
Temper — Tem per, n. 1. The state of any compound substance which results from the mixture of various ingredients; due mixture of different qualities; just combination; as, the temper of mortar. [1913 Webster] 2. Constitution of body; temperament; in old… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
temper — [tem′pər] vt. [ME tempren < OE temprian & OFr temprer, both < L temperare, to observe proper measure, mix, regulate, forbear < tempus (gen. temporis), time, period, orig., a span < IE * tempos, a span < * temp , to pull < base * … English World dictionary
temper — [n1] state of mind atmosphere, attitude, attribute, aura, character, climate, complexion, condition, constitution, disposition, drift, frame of mind, humor, individualism, individuality, leaning, makeup, mind, mood, nature, orientation, outlook,… … New thesaurus
temper — ► NOUN 1) a person s state of mind in terms of their being angry or calm. 2) a tendency to become angry easily. 3) an angry state of mind. 4) the degree of hardness and elasticity in steel or other metal. ► VERB 1) improve the temper of (a metal) … English terms dictionary
temper — vb *moderate, qualify Analogous words: *adjust, regulate, fix: mitigate, alleviate, lighten, assuage, allay, *relieve: mollify, *pacify, appease Antonyms: intensify temper n 1 * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Temper — Tem per, v. i. 1. To accord; to agree; to act and think in conformity. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To have or get a proper or desired state or quality; to grow soft and pliable. [1913 Webster] I have him already tempering between my finger and … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Temper — Temper. См. Отпуск. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) … Словарь металлургических терминов
temper — index abate (lessen), adapt, adjust (regulate), allay, alleviate, alter, animus … Law dictionary
temper — I UK [ˈtempə(r)] / US [ˈtempər] noun Word forms temper : singular temper plural tempers ** 1) [countable/uncountable] a tendency to get angry very quickly That temper of yours is going to get you into trouble. She should never have married a man… … English dictionary
temper — tem|per1 [ tempər ] noun ** 1. ) count or uncount a tendency to get angry very quickly: That temper of yours is going to get you into trouble. She should never have married a man with such a violent temper. have a short temper (=become angry very … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
