distemperature

[ dis-tem-per-uh-cher ]

/ dɪsˈtɛm pər ə tʃər /

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noun

a distempered or disordered condition; disturbance of health, mind, or temper.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

Origin of distemperature

1525–35; obsolete distemperate (dis-¹ + temperate) + -ure

By this distemperature of weather much cattel perished, much corne vpon the ground was either destroyed, or greatly empaired.
The Lives of the III Normans, Kings of England: William the First, William the Second, Henrie the First|John Hayward
A slight incident occurred, however, which sprinkled a little patience on the heat of his distemperature.
The Antiquary, Complete|Sir Walter Scott
Many and various were the conjectures of the guests, concerning a distemperature which seemed rather mental than corporeal.
The Pirate|Sir Walter Scott
Thus a simple distemperature of the brain might be 'an excess of heat'; a compound one, 'an excess of heat and moisture.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 5 (of 7) -- Notes to the Canterbury Tales|Geoffrey Chaucer

To these numerous and complicated diseases of the body, many had superadded distemperature of the mind.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 11|Robert Kerr