TEMPERAMENT


Meaning of TEMPERAMENT in English

■ noun

1》 a person's nature with regard to the effect it has on their behaviour.

2》 the adjustment of intervals in tuning a piano or other musical instrument so as to fit the scale for use in different keys.

↘( equal ~ ) an adjustment in which the twelve semitones are equal intervals.

Origin

ME (in sense 'blending of elements in due proportions', later 'temperature'): from L. ~um 'correct mixture', from temperare 'mingle'; cf. temper .

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.