temporal

¹

[tem-per-uhl, tem-pruhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated near the temple or a temporal bone.

noun

1. any of several parts in the temporal region, especially the temporal bone.

temporal

²

[tem-per-uhl, tem-pruhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to time.

2. pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world; worldly.

   temporal joys.

3. enduring for a time only; temporary; transitory (eternal ).

4. Grammar.

   1. of, relating to, or expressing time.

      a temporal adjective, such as recent, or a temporal adverb, such as recently.

   2. of or relating to the tenses of a verb.

5. secular, lay, or civil, as opposed to ecclesiastical.

noun

1. a temporal possession, estate, or the like; temporality.

2. something that is temporal; a temporal matter or affair.

temporal

¹

/ ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of, relating to, or near the temple or temples

temporal

²

/ ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to time

2. of or relating to secular as opposed to spiritual or religious affairs

   the lords spiritual and temporal

3. lasting for a relatively short time

4. grammar of or relating to tense or the linguistic expression of time in general

   a temporal adverb

temporal

1. Relating to or near the bones that form the sides and part of the base of the skull.

Other Word Forms

• temporally adverb
• temporalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of temporal¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin temporālis, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) temple ² + -ālis -al ¹

Origin of temporal²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (adjective and noun) from Latin temporālis, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ālis adjective suffix; -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of temporal¹

C16: from Late Latin temporālis belonging to the temples; see _temple ²

Origin of temporal²

C14: from Latin temporālis, from tempus time

Example Sentences

On that view, spacetime is the map that records those happenings, allowing us to describe the spatial and temporal relationships between them.

Read more on Science Daily

"The temporal associations and objectively-measured outcomes in this study represent crucial steps toward filling a gap in important public health knowledge."

Read more on Science Daily

Several studies have identified decreases in gray matter volume in key regions such as the frontal and temporal cortices and the hippocampus, which play major roles in memory and decision-making.

Read more on Science Daily

In overtly religious works, when the Antichrist vouchsafes temporal comfort, it usually comes at the expense of man’s eternal salvation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In fact, it has been shown that so-called time crystals are possible -- systems in which a temporal rhythm is established without the beat being imposed from outside.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• earthly 
• materialistic 
• physical 
• sensual