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   Tem·per

   /ˈtempər/

   

   noun

   • 1. a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm: "he rushed out in a very bad temper" Similar temperamentdispositionnaturecharacterpersonalitymakeupconstitutionmindspiritstampmettlemoldmoodframe of mindcast of mindhabit of mindattitudearchaic:humorgrain
   • ▪ a tendency to become angry easily: "I know my temper gets the better of me at times" Similar angerfuryrageannoyancevexationcrossnessirascibilityirritationirritabilityill humorill temperdyspepsiaspleenpiquepetulancepeevishnesspettishnesstestinesstetchinesssnappishnesscrabbinessresentmentsurlinesschurlishnessair rageinformal:stroppinessliterary:irecholerOpposite good humor
   • ▪ an angry state of mind: "Drew had walked out in a temper" Similar fit of rageragefuryfit of bad/ill temperbad tempertantrumpassionparoxysmfit of piquebad moodmoodpetsulkmardinformal:grumphuffsnitstroppaddyinformal, dated:batewaxskidinformal:blowouthissy fitarchaic:paddywhackmiff
   • 2. the degree of hardness and elasticity in steel or other metal: "the blade rapidly heats up and the metal loses its temper"

   verb

   • 1. improve the hardness and elasticity of (steel or other metal) by reheating and then cooling it: "the way a smith would temper a sword"
   • ▪ improve the consistency or resiliency of (a substance) by means of a process involving heat or chemicals: "the display is a single sheet of glass, tempered for strength" Similar hardenstrengthentoughenfortifytechnical:anneal
   • 2. act as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something): "their idealism is tempered with realism" Similar moderatemodifymodulatetone downmitigatepalliatealleviateallayassuagelessenreduceweakenlightensoftencushionqualify
   • 3. tune (a piano or other instrument) so as to adjust the note intervals correctly.

   Word Origin Old Englishtemprian ‘bring something into the required condition by mixing it with something else’, from Latin temperare ‘mingle, restrain’. Sense development was probably influenced by Old French temprer ‘to temper, moderate’. The noun originally denoted a proportionate mixture of elements or qualities, also the combination of the four bodily humors, believed in medieval times to be the basis of temperament, hence temper (sense 1 of the noun) (late Middle English). Compare with temperament.

   Derivatives

   • 1. temperer noun
   • 2. temperative adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

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2. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishTEMPER definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   3 days ago · 10 meanings: 1. a frame of mind; mood or humour 2. a sudden outburst of anger; tantrum 3. a tendency to exhibit uncontrolled.... Click for more definitions.

3. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › temperTemper - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › temper

   Definitions of temper. noun. a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling. “whether he praised or cursed me depended on his temper at the time” synonyms: humor, humour, mood. see more. noun. a disposition to exhibit uncontrolled anger. “his temper was well known to all his employees”

4. www.yourdictionary.com › temperTemper Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › temper

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   verb. tempered, tempers. 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. Webster's New World. To modify by the addition of a moderating element; moderate. American Heritage.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › temperTEMPER Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › temper

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   heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc. calm disposition or state of mind: to be out of temper. a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishtemper noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   to have a quick temper. to become angry easily. See temper in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Check pronunciation: temper. Definition of temper noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › retempersTemper Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retempers

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   heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc. calm disposition or state of mind: to be out of temper. a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › temperTemper - definition of temper by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › temper

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   1. A state of mind or emotion; disposition: an even temper. 2. Calmness of mind or emotions; composure: lose one's temper. 3. a. A tendency to become easily angry or irritable: a quick temper. b. Anger; rage: a fit of temper. 4. A characteristic general quality; tone: heroes who exemplified the medieval temper; the politicized temper of the 1930s.