tempera

[ tem-per-uh ]
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noun
  1. a technique of painting in which an emulsion consisting of water and pure egg yolk or a mixture of egg and oil is used as a binder or medium, characterized by its lean film-forming properties and rapid drying rate.

  2. a painting executed in this technique.

  1. a water paint used in this technique in which the egg-water or egg-oil emulsion is used as a binder.: Compare distemper2 (defs. 1, 2).

Origin of tempera

1
1825–35; <Italian, short for (pingere a) tempera (painting in) distemper, derivative of temperare to mingle, temper; see temper

Words Nearby tempera

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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British Dictionary definitions for tempera

tempera

/ (ˈtɛmpərə) /


noun
  1. a painting medium for powdered pigments, consisting usually of egg yolk and water

    • any emulsion used as a painting medium, with casein, glue, wax, etc, as a base

    • the paint made from mixing this with pigment

  1. the technique of painting with tempera

Origin of tempera

1
C19: from Italian phrase pingere a tempera painting in tempera, from temperare to mingle; see temper

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