attemper

American  

[uh-tem-per] / əˈtɛm pər /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

1. to modify or moderate by mixing or blending with something different or opposite.

2. to regulate or modify the temperature of.

3. to soothe; mollify; mitigate.

4. to accommodate; adapt (usually followed byto ).

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attemper British  

/ əˈtɛmpə /

verb

1. to modify by blending; temper

2. to moderate or soothe

3. to accommodate or bring into harmony

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Other Word Forms

• attemperment noun
• unattempered adjective

Etymology

Origin of attemper

1325–75; Middle English attemperen < Latin attemperāre to adjust ( at-, temper ); replacing Middle English attempren < Middle French attemprer < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness,

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

It was evident that neither fire nor clothing would, in an habitation like that, attemper the chilling blasts.

From Ormond, Volume I (of 3) or, The Secret Witness by Brown, Charles Brockden

We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others.

From The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics by Legge, James

Then to the spring attemper thou thy thought, And let advice rear up thy drooping mind, And leave to weep thy woes unto the wind.

From Elizabethan Sonnet Cycles Phillis - Licia by Crow, Martha Foote

Plowmen can skyll howe to handell oxen in youthe, and attemper their exercises after their strength muche more diligently ought this to be done in bringing vp our children.

From The Education of Children by Sherry, Richard