/tem"peuhr euh/ , n.
1. a technique of painting in which an emulsion consisting of water and pure egg yolk or a mixture of egg and oil is used as a binder or medium, characterized by its lean film-forming properties and rapid drying rate.
2. a painting executed in this technique.
3. a water paint used in this technique in which the egg-water or egg-oil emulsion is used as a binder. Cf. distemper 2 (defs. 1, 2).
[ 1825-35; pingere a ) tempera (painting in) distemper, deriv. of temperare to mingle, temper; see TEMPER ]