Definition of 'temper'
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense tempers
, present participle tempering
, past tense, past participle tempered
1. variable noun
2. variable noun [oft adjective NOUN, oft in NOUN]
3. verb
To temper something means to make it less extreme.
[formal] For others, especially the young and foolish, the state will temper justice with
mercy. [VERB noun + with]
4.
See in/into a temper
5.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
temper in British English
noun
3.
4.
a mental condition of moderation and calm (esp in the phrases keep one's temper, lose one's temper, out of temper)
5.
the degree of hardness, elasticity, or a similar property of a metal or metal object
verb (transitive)
6.
he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy
7.
8. music
a.
to adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale on (a keyboard instrument) in order to allow modulation into other keys
b.
to make such an adjustment to the pitches of notes in (a scale)
9. a rare word for adapt
10. an archaic word for mix
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
temperable (ˈtemperable) adjective
temperability (ˌtemperaˈbility)
noun
temperer (ˈtemperer)
noun
Word origin
Old English temprian to mingle, (influenced by Old French temprer), from Latin temperāre to mix, probably from tempus time
Word Frequency
temper in American English
verb transitive
1.
to make suitable, desirable, or free from excess by mingling with something else; reduce in intensity, esp. by the admixture of some other quality; moderate; assuage; mollify
to temper criticism with reason
2.
a.
to bring to the proper texture, consistency, hardness, etc. by mixing with something or treating in some way
to temper paints with oil, to temper steel by heating and sudden cooling, to temper clay by moistening and kneading
b.
to toughen, as by rigors or trying experiences
verb intransitive
6.
to be or become tempered
noun
7.
the state of being tempered
; specif.,a. Archaic
a properly proportioned mixture
b.
the state of a metal with regard to the degree of hardness and resilience
12.
something used to temper a mixture, etc.
13.
the temper of the times, the modern temper
14. Archaic
a middle course; mean
15. Obsolete
character; quality
SIMILAR WORDS: ˌdispoˈsition, mood
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
temperability (ˌtemperaˈbility)
noun
temperable (ˈtemperable)
adjective
temperer (ˈtemperer)
noun
Word origin
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 *ten-, to stretch > thinWord Frequency
temper in American English
(ˈtempər)
noun
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. Metallurgy
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
transitive verb
11.
to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirable state by or as by blending or admixture
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
intransitive verb
SYNONYMS 1. nature, condition. 2. humor. See disposition. 3. irritation. 4. equanimity, coolness, composure. 10. See modify.19.
to be or become tempered
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
temperable adjective
temperability
noun
temperer
noun
Word origin
[bef. 1000; (v.) ME tempren, OE temprian ‹ L temperāre to divide or proportion duly, temper; (n.) ME: proportion, deriv. of the v.]Examples of 'temper' in a sentence
temper
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In other languages
temper
British English: temper
/ˈtɛmpə/ NOUN
If you say that someone has a temper, you mean that they become angry very easily.
I hope he can control his temper.
- American English: temper /ˈtɛmpər/
- Arabic: مِزَاج
- Brazilian Portuguese: temperamento
- Chinese: 脾气
- Croatian: ćud
- Czech: prudká povaha
- Danish: temperament
- Dutch: temperament
- European Spanish: humor genio
- Finnish: kiukku
- French: caractère
- German: Wut
- Greek: ιδιοσυγκρασία
- Italian: temperamento
- Japanese: かんしゃく
- Korean: 화
- Norwegian: temperament
- Polish: usposobienie
- European Portuguese: temperamento
- Romanian: acces de mânie
- Russian: нрав
- Latin American Spanish: humor
- Swedish: humör
- Thai: อารมณ์โกรธ
- Turkish: öfke patlaması
- Ukrainian: характер
- Vietnamese: cơn giận
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Definition of temper from the Collins English Dictionary
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