/tem"peuhr euh meuhnt, -preuh meuhnt, -peuhr meuhnt/ , n.
1. the combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits of a person; natural predisposition.
2. unusual personal attitude or nature as manifested by peculiarities of feeling, temper, action, etc., often with a disinclination to submit to conventional rules or restraints.
3. (old physiology) the combination of the four cardinal humors, the relative proportions of which were supposed to determine physical and mental constitution.
4. Music.
a. the tuning of a keyboard instrument, as the piano, organ, or harpsichord, so that the instrument may be played in all keys without further tuning.
b. a particular system of doing this.
5. Archaic. an act of tempering or moderating.
6. Archaic. climate.
[ 1375-1425; late ME temperamentum due mixture, equiv. to tempera ( re ) to mix properly + -mentum -MENT ]
Syn. 1. nature, makeup. See disposition .