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tempera
[ tem-per-uh ]
/ ˈtɛm pər ə /
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noun
a technique of painting in which an emulsion consisting of water and pure egg yolk or a mixture of egg and oil is used as a binder or medium, characterized by its lean film-forming properties and rapid drying rate.
a painting executed in this technique.
a water paint used in this technique in which the egg-water or egg-oil emulsion is used as a binder.Compare distemper2 (defs. 1, 2).
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Origin of tempera
1825–35; <Italian, short for (pingere a) tempera (painting in) distemper, derivative of temperare to mingle, temper; see temper
Words nearby tempera
temp, Tempe, tempeh, Tempelhof, temper, tempera, temperament, temperamental, temperance, temperate, Temperate Zone
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tempera in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tempera
tempera
/ (ˈtɛmpərə) /
noun
a painting medium for powdered pigments, consisting usually of egg yolk and water
- any emulsion used as a painting medium, with casein, glue, wax, etc, as a base
- the paint made from mixing this with pigment
the technique of painting with tempera
Word Origin for tempera
C19: from Italian phrase pingere a tempera painting in tempera, from temperare to mingle; see temper
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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