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temperability

 - 4 dictionary results

tem⋅per

  [tem-per]
Use temperability in a Sentence
–noun
1. a particular state of mind or feelings.
2. habit of mind, esp. with respect to irritability or patience, outbursts of anger, or the like; disposition: an even temper.
3. heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc.
4. calm disposition or state of mind: to be out of temper.
5. a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.
6. Metallurgy.
a. the degree of hardness and strength imparted to a metal, as by quenching, heat treatment, or cold working.
b. the percentage of carbon in tool steel.
c. the operation of tempering.
7. Archaic. a middle course; compromise.
8. Obsolete. the constitution or character of a substance.
–verb (used with object)
9. to moderate or mitigate: to temper justice with mercy.
10. to soften or tone down.
11. to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirable state by or as by blending or admixture.
12. to moisten, mix, and work up into proper consistency, as clay or mortar.
13. Metallurgy. to impart strength or toughness to (steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.
14. to produce internal stresses in (glass) by sudden cooling from low red heat; toughen.
15. to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano, organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys or tonalities.
16. to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.
17. Archaic. to combine or blend in due proportions.
18. Archaic. to pacify.
–verb (used without object)
19. to be or become tempered.
Origin:
bef. 1000; (v.) ME tempren, OE temprian < L temperāre to divide or proportion duly, temper; (n.) ME: proportion, deriv. of the v.

Related forms:
tem⋅per⋅a⋅ble, adjective
tem⋅per⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
tem⋅per⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. nature, condition. 2. humor. See disposition. 3. irritation. 4. equanimity, coolness, composure. 10. See modify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To temperability
tem·per   (těm'pər)   
v.   tem·pered, tem·per·ing, tem·pers

v.   tr.

  1. To modify by the addition of a moderating element; moderate: "temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom" (Robert H. Jackson). See Synonyms at moderate.

  2. To bring to a desired consistency, texture, hardness, or other physical condition by or as if by blending, admixing, or kneading: temper clay; paints that had been tempered with oil.

  3. To harden or strengthen (metal or glass) by application of heat or by heating and cooling.

  4. To strengthen through experience or hardship; toughen: soldiers who had been tempered by combat.

  5. To adjust finely; attune: a portfolio that is tempered to the investor's needs.

  6. Music To adjust (the pitch of an instrument) to a temperament.

v.   intr.
To be or become tempered.
n.  

  1. A state of mind or emotions; disposition: an even temper. See Synonyms at mood1.

  2. Calmness of mind or emotions; composure: lose one's temper.

    1. A tendency to become easily angry or irritable: a quick temper.

    2. An outburst of rage: a fit of temper.

    3. The condition of being tempered.

    4. The degree of hardness and elasticity of a metal, chiefly steel, achieved by tempering.

  4. A characteristic general quality; tone: heroes who exemplified the medieval temper; the politicized temper of the 1930s.

    1. The condition of being tempered.

    2. The degree of hardness and elasticity of a metal, chiefly steel, achieved by tempering.

  6. A modifying substance or agent added to something else.

  7. Archaic A middle course between extremes; a mean.


[Middle English temperen, from Old English temprian, from Latin temperāre, probably from variant of tempus, tempor-, time, season.]
tem'per·a·bil'i·ty n., tem'per·a·ble adj., tem'per·er n.
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

temper  (v.)
late O.E. temprian "to bring to a proper or suitable state, to modify some excessive quality, to restrain within due limits," from L. temperare "to mix correctly, moderate, regulate, blend," usually described as from tempus "time, season" (of unknown origin), with a sense of "proper time or season," but the sense history is obscure. Meaning "to make (steel) hard and elastic" is from c.1381. Sense of "to tune the pitch of a musical instrument" is recorded from c.1300.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

temper tem·per (těm'pər)
n.

  1. A state of mind or emotions; mood.

  2. A tendency to become easily angry or irritable.

  3. An outburst of rage.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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