TEMPERAMENT


Meaning of TEMPERAMENT in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈtem-p(ə-)rə-mənt, -pər-mənt ]

noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin temperamentum, from temperare to mix, temper

Date: 15th century

1. obsolete

a. : constitution of a substance, body, or organism with respect to the mixture or balance of its elements, qualities, or parts : makeup

b. : complexion 1

2. obsolete

a. : climate

b. : temperature 2

3.

a. : the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character determined by the relative proportions of the humors according to medieval physiology

b. : characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response

a nervous temperament

c. : extremely high sensibility ; especially : excessive sensitiveness or irritability

4.

a. : the act or process of tempering or modifying : adjustment , compromise

b. : middle course : mean

5. : the slight modification of acoustically pure intervals in tuning a musical instrument ; especially : modification that produces a set of 12 equally spaced tones to the octave

Synonyms: see disposition

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.