temper
Americannoun
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a particular state of mind or feelings.
- Synonyms:
- point of view, perspective, outlook, inclination, attitude, humor, frame of mind, cheer
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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
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heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc.
- Synonyms:
- petulance, irritation, irritability, crossness, annoyance, resentment
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calm disposition or state of mind.
to be out of temper.
- Synonyms:
- composure, equanimity
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a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.
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Metallurgy.
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the degree of hardness and strength imparted to a metal, as by quenching, heat treatment, or cold working.
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the percentage of carbon in tool steel.
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the operation of tempering.
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Archaic. a middle course; compromise.
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Obsolete. the constitution or character of a substance.
verb (used with object)
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to moderate or mitigate.
to temper justice with mercy.
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to soften or tone down.
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to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirable state by or as by blending or admixture.
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to moisten, mix, and work up into proper consistency, as clay or mortar.
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Metallurgy. to impart strength or toughness to (steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.
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to produce internal stresses in (glass) by sudden cooling from low red heat; toughen.
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to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano, organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys or tonalities.
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to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.
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Archaic. to combine or blend in due proportions.
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Archaic. to pacify.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a frame of mind; mood or humour
a good temper
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a sudden outburst of anger; tantrum
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a tendency to exhibit uncontrolled anger; irritability
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a mental condition of moderation and calm (esp in the phrases keep one's temper, lose one's temper, out of temper )
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the degree of hardness, elasticity, or a similar property of a metal or metal object
verb
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to make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate
he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy
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to strengthen or toughen (a metal or metal article) by heat treatment, as by heating and quenching
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music
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to adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale on (a keyboard instrument) in order to allow modulation into other keys
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to make such an adjustment to the pitches of notes in (a scale)
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a rare word for adapt
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an archaic word for mix
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As much as Bellamy might have mellowed as a coach, his half-time tirade demonstrated that his fiery temper is still in there somewhere.
From BBC
But Samsung tempered expectations for the gigantic device, with an executive describing it as a special-edition product for diehard fans rather than for the masses.
Pogue’s book, released ahead of Apple’s anniversary, goes through Apple’s long history, chronicling the company’s key players — including Jobs’ leadership style and temper — and the challenges it faced as it rose to the top.
From Los Angeles Times
Itauma initially "wanted to be world champion by 20", but these gritty encounters tempered that ambition.
From BBC
He’s a mostly benevolent tyrant, but his crotchety side can get ugly and he’s not always in control of his temper.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
