ˈtemp(ə)rəmənt, -pərm- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin temperamentum, from temperare to mix, blend, regulate + -mentum -ment — more at temper
1. obsolete
a. : the state (as of a substance, body, or organism) with respect to the mixture or balance in due proportions of its elements, qualities, or parts : constitution , makeup
the best founded commonwealths … have aimed at a certain mixture or temperament , partaking the several virtues of each other state — John Milton
b. : complexion 1b
2.
a. : the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character of a person as determined according to medieval physiology by the relative proportions of the humors in his body — compare humor I 1b
the choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic, and sanguine temperaments
b. : characteristic or habitual inclination, frame of mind, or mode of emotional response
a nervous temperament
the artistic temperament
the poetic temperament
buoyant and expansive in temperament
the mind of a dreamer joined to the temperament of a soldier — John Buchan
the temperament of an animal shown by its gait and carriage
c. : extremely high sensibility ; especially : excessive sensitiveness or irritability often accompanied by impatience or lack of restraint : temper
always having temperament and making trouble — This Week Magazine
dropped his racket during a rare display of temperament — Harry Gordon
3. archaic
a. : climate
b. : temperature 5
4. archaic
a. : the act or process of tempering or modifying : adjustment , compromise
any temperament that can be found in things … so disputable — John Milton
b. : middle course : mean
a judicious temperament , which the reformers would have done well to adopt — Henry Hallam
5.
a. : the system or process of slightly modifying the musical intervals of the pure scale to produce a set of compromise tones consisting of 12 fixed tones to the octave and thus permit modulations without the use of an inconveniently large number of distinctions in pitch
b. : the adjustment so made
Synonyms: see disposition