temporal
1[ tem-per-uhl, tem-pruhl ]
/ ˈtɛm pər əl, ˈtɛm prəl /
Save This Word!
adjective
noun Usually temporals .
a temporal possession, estate, or the like; temporality.
something that is temporal; a temporal matter or affair.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of temporal
1First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (adjective and noun) from Latin temporālis, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ālis adjective suffix; see -al1
OTHER WORDS FROM temporal
tem·po·ral·ly, adverbtem·po·ral·ness, nounWords nearby temporal
Definition for temporal (2 of 2)
temporal2
[ tem-per-uhl, tem-pruhl ]
/ ˈtɛm pər əl, ˈtɛm prəl /
adjective
of, relating to, or situated near the temple or a temporal bone.
noun
any of several parts in the temporal region, especially the temporal bone.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for temporal
What Is An Em Dash And How Do You Use It?
Manslaughter vs. Murder: Differences In Intent And Degree
Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative?
The Evolving Language Around The Autism Spectrum: What You Need To Know
Systematic vs. Systemic: There’s A System To The Difference
Read Poetry Like An Expert With These Advanced Poetic Terms
British Dictionary definitions for temporal (1 of 2)
temporal1
/ (ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl) /
adjective
of or relating to time
of or relating to secular as opposed to spiritual or religious affairsthe lords spiritual and temporal
lasting for a relatively short time
grammar of or relating to tense or the linguistic expression of time in generala temporal adverb
Derived forms of temporal
temporally, adverbtemporalness, nounWord Origin for temporal
C14: from Latin temporālis, from tempus time
British Dictionary definitions for temporal (2 of 2)
temporal2
/ (ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl) /
adjective
anatomy of, relating to, or near the temple or temples
Word Origin for temporal
C16: from Late Latin temporālis belonging to the temples; see temple ²
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
Medical definitions for temporal
temporal
[ tĕm′pər-əl, tĕm′prəl ]
adj.
Of, relating to, or near the temples of the skull.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for temporal
temporal
[ tĕm′pər-əl ]
Relating to or near the bones that form the sides and part of the base of the skull.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.