Distemper Definition
dĭs-tĕmpər
distempers
noun
distempers
An infectious viral disease occurring in dogs, characterized by loss of appetite, a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, fever, lethargy, partial paralysis caused by destruction of myelinated nerve tissue, and sometimes death.
American Heritage
A similar viral disease of cats characterized by fever, vomiting, diarrhea leading to dehydration, and sometimes death.
American Heritage
Any of several infectious diseases of animals, characterized by rhinitis, fever, etc.
Webster's New World
A mental or physical derangement or disorder; disease.
Webster's New World
Civil disorder or turmoil.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
distempers
To put out of order.
American Heritage
To make bad-tempered; disturb; ruffle.
Webster's New World
To upset or unbalance the functions of; derange; disorder.
Webster's New World
To mix (colors or pigments) with water and glue, size, or some other binding medium.
Webster's New World
To paint with such a mixture.
Webster's New World
Origin of Distemper
From Middle English distemperen to upset the balance of the humors from Old French destemprer to disturb from Late Latin distemperāre Latin dis- dis- Latin temperāre to mix properly
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Middle English distemperen to dilute distemper1
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Old French destemprer, from Latin distemperare
From Wiktionary
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