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temper Definition

tem·per (tem′pər)

transitive verb

  1. to make suitable, desirable, or free from excess by mingling with something else; reduce in intensity, esp. by the admixture of some other quality; moderate; assuage; mollify to temper criticism with reason
    1. to bring to the proper texture, consistency, hardness, etc. by mixing with something or treating in some way to temper paints with oil, to temper steel by heating and sudden cooling, to temper clay by moistening and kneading
    2. to toughen, as by rigors or trying experiences
  3. Rare to fit; adapt
  4. Archaic to mix in proper proportions
  5. Music to adjust the pitch of (a note) or tune (an instrument) according to some temperament

Etymology: ME tempren < OE temprian & OFr temprer, both < L temperare, to observe proper measure, mix, regulate, forbear < tempus (gen. temporis), time, period, orig., a span < IE *tempos, a span < *temp-, to pull < base *ten-, to stretch > thin

intransitive verb

to be or become tempered

noun

  1. the state of being tempered; specif.,
    1. Archaic a properly proportioned mixture
    2. the state of a metal with regard to the degree of hardness and resilience
  2. frame of mind; disposition; mood in a bad temper
  3. calmness of mind; composure: now only in the phrases lose one's temper and keep one's temper
  4. a tendency to become angry readily to have a temper
  5. anger; rage to go into a temper
  6. something used to temper a mixture, etc.
  7. the trend in thought and feeling (of an era, period, etc.); character the temper of the times, the modern temper
  8. Archaic a middle course; mean
  9. Obsolete character; quality

temper Related Forms
tem′·per·abil′·ity noun tem′·per·able adjective tem′·perer noun
temper Synonyms

temper

n.

  1. State of mind

    disposition, temperament, frame of mind, humor; see mood 1.

  2. An angry state of mind

    furor, ire, passion; see anger, rage 2.

  3. The quality of being easily angered

    impatience, excitability, touchiness, sourness, sensitivity, fretfulness, peevishness, irritability, ill-humor, acerbity, petulence, irascibility, crossness, churlishness, pugnacity, sullenness, tartness, grouchiness*, huffiness*, cantankerousness*.

    Antonyms patience*, calmness*, equanimity. *

  4. The quality of induced hardness or toughness in materials

    tensile strength, sturdiness, hardness; see firmness 2, strength 1.

  5. Composure

    equanimity, poise, tranquility; see composure.

keep one's temper

remain calm, control oneself, compose oneself, not become angry; see restrain 1.

lose one's temper

become angry, get mad, fly off the handle*, go bananas*; see rage 1. See syn. study at mood, disposition.

temper Synonyms

temper

v.

  1. To soften or qualify

    mitigate, pacify, moderate, abate, mollify, curb, restrain; see also ease 1, 2, soften 2.

    Antonyms attack*, violate injure.

  2. To toughen or harden

    steel, anneal, braze, bake, chill, stiffen, caseharden, cement, vulcanize, solidify, congeal, indurate, starch, petrify, mold, set, dry, toughen up*; see also strengthen.

    Antonyms melt, dissolve, soften.

temper Usage Examples

Object

  • shelf: Features include 8mm tempered glass shelf, a pull-out drawer to store your favorite DVD / CD collection & rubber feet.
  • steel: A thriving steel industry grew up around Toledo as the water in the river Tagus has special properties for the tempering the steel.

Converse of object

  • fray: All of these factors can result in frayed tempers from time to time.
  • flare: If you happen to be the person whose temper flared, then prepare to face the consequences the next day at work.

Subject

  • breeze: Climate From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.
  • realization: However, this anger is soon tempered by the realization that China offers the world's largest untapped export market.

Adjective modifier

  • fiery: She has the same independence, determination and fiery temper.
  • hasty: Proverbs chapter 14 ( NLT ) 29 Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.
  • volatile: His mother, noted for her volatile temper, was descended from the Gordons, with their wild, bloodsoaked highland history.
  • violent: At this time he began using the name Powell Powell had a reputation for having a violent temper.
  • foul: Someone else tried fifty-two years later but he couldn't get up the side of the rock and left in a foul temper.
  • fierce: As a youngster Federer had a fierce temper, breaking rackets regularly and making himself thoroughly unpopular.

Modifies a noun

  • tantrum: My two-year-old son seems to have serious temper tantrums.
  • outburst: Attempts by the parents to insist on attendance result in heightened distress, or temper outbursts.
  • flare: A little white lie here, a little unnecessary temper flare there - our culture doesn't see these as particularly bad things.

Preposition: with

  • realism: However, enthusiasm needs to be tempered with a constant realism.
  • mercy: God's mercy In the Book of Jonah, God's justice is tempered with mercy.
  • caution: However, their interest is tempered with considerable caution.

Preposition: by

  • breeze: Climate From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.
  • realization: However, this anger is soon tempered by the realization that China offers the world's largest untapped export market.
temper Quotes

Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There an't much credit in that. If I was very ragged and very jolly, then I should begin to feel I had gained a point, Mr. Pinch.

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

There lies the port; the vessel, puffs her sail: There gloom the dark broad seas. My mariners, Souls that have toiled, and wrought, and thought with meö That ever with a frolic welcome took The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed Free hearts, free foreheadsöyou and I are old: Old age hath yet his honour and his toil; Death closes all: but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done, Not unbecoming men that strove with gods. The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks: The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep Moans round with many voices.Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows: for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Though much is taken, much abides: and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and hearth: that which we are, we are: One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

—Tennyson

As we jog on, either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do anything,öonly keep your temper.

—Sterne, Laurence

I have always considered that boxing really combines all the finest and highest inclinations of a manöactivity, endurance, science, temper, and, last, but not least, presence of mind.

—Lonsdale, Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of

A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

—Irving,Washington

Our torments also may in length of time Become our elements, these piercing fires As soft as now severe, our temper changed Into their temper.

—Milton,John

His temper, naturally morose, has become licentiously peevish.Crossed in his Cabinet, he insults the House of Lords and plagues the most eminent of his colleagues with the crabbed malice of a maundering witch.

—Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield

   If the spirit of the Reform Bill implies merelya careful review of institutions, civil and ecclesiastical, undertaken in a friendly temper, combining with the firm maintenance of established rights the correction of private abuses and the redress of real grievances,I can for myself and my colleagues undertake to act in such a spirit and with such intentions.

—Peel, Sir Robert

Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.

—Austen,Jane