temper
temper Lexical Profile
temper Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A tendency to become easily annoyed or angry, or an uncontrolled outburst of anger.
"He apologized to the committee after losing his temper during the heated debate."
A person's typical state of mind or emotional disposition, especially regarding their tendency to become calm or angry.
"The golden retriever is widely admired for its gentle and affectionate temper."
The degree of hardness and elasticity imparted to steel or another metal by heating and cooling.
"The blacksmith carefully tested the temper of the steel blade before fitting the hilt."
• verb
To act as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to something so as to make it less severe or extreme.
"The judge decided to temper the strict sentence with mercy given the defendant's youth."
To improve the hardness and elasticity of steel or another metal by reheating it and then cooling it.
"Artisans temper the carbon steel at precise temperatures to prevent the tools from becoming brittle."
To heat and cool chocolate carefully to give it a glossy finish and crisp snap, or to warm eggs or dairy gradually by adding small amounts of hot liquid.
"You must temper the egg yolks with a ladle of warm milk so they do not curdle in the custard."
• Rhymes for temper
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English temprian and Old French temprer, both derived from Latin temperare ('to mingle in due proportion, moderate, or restrain'). The modern sense of anger arose from the medieval belief that a person's emotional disposition was governed by the balance of bodily humors.