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tempera

 - 3 dictionary results

tem⋅per⋅a

  [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.
3. a water paint used in this technique in which the egg-water or egg-oil emulsion is used as a binder. Compare distemper 2 (defs. 1, 2).
Origin:
1825–35; < It, short for (pingere a) tempera (painting in) distemper, deriv. of temperare to mingle, temper; see temper
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tempera
tem·per·a   (těm'pər-ə)   
n.  

  1. A painting medium in which pigment is mixed with water-soluble glutinous materials such as size or egg yolk. Also called poster color, poster paint.

  2. Painting done in this medium.


[Italian, from temperare, to mingle, from Latin temperāre; see temper.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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