temper
/ˈtɛmpɚ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.81 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A general tendency or orientation towards a certain type of mood, a volatile state; a habitual way of thinking, behaving or reacting.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Constitution of body; the mixture or relative proportion of the four humours: blood, choler, phlegm, and melancholy.
Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "to have a good, bad, or calm temper"
- "A noble temper dost thou show in this;"
- "And it was peculiar in their Temper, that they were fonder of what they could get by Rapine or Stealth at a greater diſtance, than much better Food provided for them at home."
- "[…] when she smiled, the Sweetness of her Temper diffused that Glory over her Countenance, which no Regularity of Features can give."
- "I am of a cautious temper, and unwilling to risk my happiness in a hurry."
- "[…] Amy smiled without bitterness, for she possessed a happy temper and hopeful spirit."
Etymology
From Middle English temperen, tempren, from Old English ġetemprian, temprian, borrowed from Latin temperō (“(transitive) to divide or proportion duly, to moderate, to regulate; (intransitive) to be moderate, temperate”), from tempus (“time, fit season”). Compare also French tempérer. Doublet of tamper. See temporal.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: temperen, ġetemprian, temperō
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈtɛmpɚ/
- British English: /ˈtɛmpə/