■ noun
1》 the degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or object.
↘a body ~ above the normal: he was running a ~.
2》 the degree of excitement or tension in a situation or discussion: the ~ of the debate was lower than before.
Origin
ME (in sense 'the state of being tempered or mixed', later synonymous with temperament ): from Fr. température or L. temperatura , from temperare 'restrain'.