tem·per·a

[tem-per-uh]
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.
3.
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:
1825–35; < Italian, short for (pingere a) tempera (painting in) distemper, derivative of temperare to mingle, temper; see temper

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World English Dictionary
tempera (ˈtɛmpərə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  a painting medium for powdered pigments, consisting usually of egg yolk and water
2.  a.  any emulsion used as a painting medium, with casein, glue, wax, etc, as a base
 b.  the paint made from mixing this with pigment
3.  the technique of painting with tempera
 
[C19: from Italian phrase pingere a tempera painting in tempera, from temperare to mingle; see temper]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Tempera is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

tempera
1832, from It. tempera (in phrase pingere a tempera), from temperare "to mix colors, temper," from L. temperare "to mix" (see temper).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
For much of his career he painted not only in watercolors but in tempera, a
  pigment and egg-white medium that predates oil paint.
Oils allow painters to use techniques unimaginable with egg tempera.
Wyeth's favorite media were watercolor and egg tempera.
Next time it rains, sprinkle lots of powdered tempera paints on a piece of
  paper.
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