temper

American  

[tem-per] / ˈtɛm pər /

noun

1. a particular state of mind or feelings.

   Synonyms:

   point of view , perspective , outlook , inclination , attitude , humor , frame of mind , cheer

2. habit of mind, especially with respect to irritability or patience, outbursts of anger, or the like; disposition.

   an even temper.

   Synonyms:

   temperament , spirit , nature , makeup , habit , grain , disposition

3. heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc.

   Synonyms:

   petulance , irritation , irritability , crossness , annoyance , resentment

4. calm disposition or state of mind.

   to be out of temper.

   Synonyms:

   composure , equanimity

5. a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.

6. Metallurgy.

   1. the degree of hardness and strength imparted to a metal, as by quenching, heat treatment, or cold working.

   2. the percentage of carbon in tool steel.

   3. the operation of tempering.

7. Archaic.  a middle course; compromise.

8. Obsolete.  the constitution or character of a substance.

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verb (used with object)

1. to moderate or mitigate.

   to temper justice with mercy.

2. to soften or tone down.

3. to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirable state by or as by blending or admixture.

4. to moisten, mix, and work up into proper consistency, as clay or mortar.

5. Metallurgy.  to impart strength or toughness to (steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.

6. to produce internal stresses in (glass) by sudden cooling from low red heat; toughen.

7. to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano, organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys or tonalities.

8. to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.

9. Archaic.  to combine or blend in due proportions.

10. Archaic.  to pacify.

verb (used without object)

1. to be or become tempered.

temper British  

/ ˈtɛmpə /

noun

1. a frame of mind; mood or humour

   a good temper

2. a sudden outburst of anger; tantrum

3. a tendency to exhibit uncontrolled anger; irritability

4. a mental condition of moderation and calm (esp in the phrases keep one's temper, lose one's temper, out of temper )

5. the degree of hardness, elasticity, or a similar property of a metal or metal object

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verb

1. to make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate

   he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy

2. to strengthen or toughen (a metal or metal article) by heat treatment, as by heating and quenching

3. music

   1. to adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale on (a keyboard instrument) in order to allow modulation into other keys

   2. to make such an adjustment to the pitches of notes in (a scale)

4. a rare word for adapt

5. an archaic word for mix

temper Idioms  

1. see hold one's temper; lose one's temper.

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Related Words

See disposition. See modify.

Other Word Forms

• nontemperable adjective
• retemper verb (used with object)
• temperability noun
• temperable adjective
• temperer noun
• untemperable adjective
• untempering adjective

Etymology

Origin of temper

before 1000; (v.) Middle English tempren, Old English temprian < Latin temperāre to divide or proportion duly, temper; (noun) Middle English: proportion, derivative of the v.

Example Sentences

"He was a bully. He was a narcissist and his temper would go from one to 100 in a matter of seconds," she said.

From BBC

Both Russia and China face challenges that temper their interest in Venezuela’s security concerns.

From The Wall Street Journal

That way, there was no risk of confrontation between them while the adrenaline was still flowing from the game and tempers were running high.

From BBC

Firefighters wielding fire hoses struggled to temper the blaze, which roared into the night and through the next day.

From The Wall Street Journal

While calling for tempers to cool, Hichilema has urged patience, saying it takes time for long-term development and investment programmes to have an impact.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate
• allay
• alleviate
• assuage
• cool
• curb
• dilute
• ease
• lessen
• mitigate
• mollify
• restrain
• soften
• soothe
• tone down
• weaken