TEMPER

I. transitive verb (~ed; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English temprian & Anglo-French temprer, from Latin ~are to moderate, mix, ~; probably akin to Latin tempor-, tempus time Date: before 12th century to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else ; moderate , 2. archaic to exercise control over ; govern , restrain , to cause to be well disposed ; mollify , to bring to a suitable state by mixing in or adding a usually liquid ingredient: as, to mix (clay) with water or a modifier (as grog) and knead to a uniform texture, to mix oil with (colors) in making paint ready for use, 4. a. to soften (as hardened steel or cast iron) by reheating at a lower ~ature, to harden (as steel) by reheating and cooling in oil, to anneal or toughen (glass) by a process of gradually heating and cooling, to make stronger and more resilient through hardship ; toughen , 6. to put in tune with something ; attune , to adjust the pitch of (a note, chord, or instrument) to a ~ament, ~able adjective ~er noun II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a suitable proportion or balance of qualities ; a middle state between extremes ; mean , medium , character , quality , characteristic tone ; trend , high quality of mind or spirit ; courage , 2. the state of a substance with respect to certain desired qualities (as hardness, elasticity, or workability), the feel and relative solidity of leather, 3. a characteristic cast of mind or state of feeling ; disposition , calmness of mind ; composure , state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time usually dominated by a single strong emotion, heat of mind or emotion ; proneness to anger ; passion , a substance (as a metal) added to or mixed with something else (as another metal) to modify the properties of the latter, see: disposition