distemper
1[ dis-tem-per ]
/ dɪsˈtɛm pər /
noun
Veterinary Pathology.
- Also called canine distemper. an infectious disease chiefly of young dogs, caused by an unidentified virus and characterized by lethargy, fever, catarrh, photophobia, and vomiting.
- Also called colt distemper, equine distemper, strangles. an infectious disease of horses, caused by the bacillus Streptococcus equi and characterized by catarrh of the upper air passages and the formation of pus in the submaxillary and other lymphatic glands.
- Also called cat distemper, feline agranulocytosis, feline distemper, feline infectious enteritis, feline panleukopenia. a usually fatal viral disease of cats, characterized by fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, leading to severe dehydration.
a deranged condition of mind or body; a disorder or disease: a feverish distemper.
disorder or disturbance, especially of a political nature.
verb (used with object)
Obsolete. to derange physically or mentally.
Nearby words
distant early warning, distant flap, distaste, distasteful, distelfink, distemper, distemperature, distemperoid, distend, distended, distensible
Origin of distemper
1Related forms
dis·tem·pered·ly, adverbdis·tem·pered·ness, nounDefinition for distemper (2 of 2)
distemper
2[ dis-tem-per ]
/ dɪsˈtɛm pər /
noun
Art.
- a technique of decorative painting in which glue or gum is used as a binder or medium to achieve a mat surface and rapid drying.
- (formerly) the tempera technique.
a painting executed by this method.
British. whitewash; calcimine.
verb (used with object)
to paint in distemper.
British. to whitewash a wall, cottage, etc.; calcimine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for distemper
British Dictionary definitions for distemper (1 of 2)
distemper
1/ (dɪsˈtɛmpə) /
noun
verb
(tr) archaic to disturb
Word Origin for distemper
C14: from Late Latin distemperāre to derange the health of, from Latin dis- 1 + temperāre to mix in correct proportions
British Dictionary definitions for distemper (2 of 2)
distemper
2/ (dɪsˈtɛmpə) /
noun
a technique of painting in which the pigments are mixed with water, glue, size, etc, used for poster, mural, and scene painting
the paint used in this technique or any of various water-based paints, including, in Britain, whitewash
verb
(tr) to mix (pigments) with water and size
to paint (something) with distemper
Word Origin for distemper
C14: from Medieval Latin distemperāre to soak, from Latin dis- 1 + temperāre to mingle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medicine definitions for distemper
distemper
[ dĭs-tĕm′pər ]
n.
An infectious viral disease occurring in dogs, characterized by loss of appetite, a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, partial paralysis, and sometimes death.
A similar viral disease of cats characterized by fever, vomiting, diarrhea leading to dehydration, and sometimes death.
Any of various similar mammalian diseases.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for distemper
distemper
[ dĭs-tĕm′pər ]
An infectious disease occurring especially in dogs, caused by the canine distemper virus of the genus Morbillivirus. It is characterized by loss of appetite, a discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, fever, lethargy, partial paralysis caused by destruction of myelinated nerve tissue, and sometimes death.
An infectious disease of cats caused by the feline panleukopenia virus of the genus Parvovirus, characterized by fever, vomiting, diarrhea leading to dehydration, and sometimes death.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.