n. 1 mood, disposition, temperament, humour, state or frame of mind, character, personality, nature, make-up, constitution Practising law did not suit his temper, so he became a social worker 2 composure, self-control, self-possession, calmness, equanimity, balance, sang-froid, coolness, Colloq cool He would lose his temper if she ever mentioned another man 3 ill humour, ill temper, foul temper, irascibility, irritability, petulance, volatility, peevishness, huffishness, surliness, churlishness, hotheadedness, hot-bloodedness At the first sign of temper, just ignore him 4 (temper) tantrum, fury, fit (of pique), rage, passion, Colloq Brit wax, paddy She went off into a temper at the mere mention of his name
v. 5 modify, moderate, assuage, mollify, soften, cushion, tone down, allay, soothe, mitigate, palliate, reduce, relax, slacken, lighten, appease The cold currents from the poles are tempered by the equatorial waters She used all her wiles to temper his fury. 6 anneal, toughen, strengthen, harden Plunge the heated blade into water to temper it