temper

[tem-per]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of temper¹

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of temper¹

Old English temprian to mingle, (influenced by Old French temprer ), from Latin temperāre to mix, probably from tempus time

Idioms and Phrases

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

Synonym Study

See disposition. See modify.

Example Sentences

In an offseason of wide possibilities, but thus far tempered expectations from the Dodgers’ front office, Cody Bellinger represents something of a wild card in the team’s winter plans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Benches cleared before tempers settled down, and the Yankees would best the Mets in five games.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Here’s a little secret: the Sun isn’t the only star with a temper.

Read more on Space Scoop

And for twelve years, I’ve done a great job of keeping track of my temper.

Read more on Literature

Lips chapped and tempers frayed, and the ceaseless ringing and jingling of the troika bells grew so wearisome, it was like something out of Poe.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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