1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a kind of paint using glue or size instead of an oil-base, for use on walls or for scene-painting.
2 a method of mural and poster painting using this.
--v.tr. paint (walls etc.) with distemper.
Etymology: earlier as verb, f. OF destremper or LL distemperare soak, macerate: see DISTEMPER(2) 2. n.1 a disease of some animals, esp. dogs, causing fever, coughing, and catarrh.
2 archaic political disorder.
Etymology: earlier as verb, upset, derange: ME f. LL distemperare (as DIS-, temperare mingle correctly)