temper

temper
—temperable, adj. —temperability, n. —temperer, n.
/tem"peuhr/, n.
1. a particular state of mind or feelings.
2. habit of mind, esp. with respect to irritability or patience, outbursts of anger, or the like; disposition: an even temper.
3. heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc.
4. calm disposition or state of mind: to be out of temper.
5. a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.
6. Metall.
a. the degree of hardness and strength imparted to a metal, as by quenching, heat treatment, or cold working.
b. the percentage of carbon in tool steel.
c. the operation of tempering.
7. Archaic. a middle course; compromise.
8. Obs. the constitution or character of a substance.
v.t.
9. to moderate or mitigate: to temper justice with mercy.
10. to soften or tone down.
11. to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirable state by or as by blending or admixture.
12. to moisten, mix, and work up into proper consistency, as clay or mortar.
13. Metall. to impart strength or toughness to (steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.
14. to produce internal stresses in (glass) by sudden cooling from low red heat; toughen.
15. to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano, organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys or tonalities.
16. to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.
17. Archaic. to combine or blend in due proportions.
18. Archaic. to pacify.
v.i.
19. to be or become tempered.
[bef. 1000; (v.) ME tempren, OE temprian < L temperare to divide or proportion duly, temper; (n.) ME: proportion, deriv. of the v.]
Syn. 1. nature, condition. 2. humor. See disposition. 3. irritation. 4. equanimity, coolness, composure. 10. See modify.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
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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 — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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

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