Temper

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[编辑] 解释

I. transitive verb (tempered; tempering)

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English temprian & Anglo-French temprer, from Latin temperare to moderate, mix, temper; probably akin to Latin tempor-, tempus time
Date: before 12th century
1. to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else ; moderate <temper justice with mercy>
2. archaic
- a. to exercise control over ; govern, restrain
- b. to cause to be well disposed ; mollify <tempered and reconciled them both — Richard Steele>
3. to bring to a suitable state by mixing in or adding a usually liquid ingredient: as
- a. to mix (clay) with water or a modifier (as grog) and knead to a uniform texture
- b. to mix oil with (colors) in making paint ready for use
4.
- a.
  - (1) to soften (as hardened steel or cast iron) by reheating at a lower temperature
  - (2) to harden (as steel) by reheating and cooling in oil
- b. to anneal or toughen (glass) by a process of gradually heating and cooling
5. to make stronger and more resilient through hardship ; toughen <troops tempered in battle>
6.
- a. to put in tune with something ; attune
- b. to adjust the pitch of (a note, chord, or instrument) to a temperament
? temperable adjective
? temperer noun

II. noun

Date: 14th century
1.
- a. archaic a suitable proportion or balance of qualities ; a middle state between extremes ; mean, medium <virtue is…a just temper between propensities — T. B. Macaulay>
- b. archaic character, quality <the temper of the land you design to sow — John Mortimer>
- c. characteristic tone ; trend <the temper of the times>
- d. high quality of mind or spirit ; courage
2.
- a. the state of a substance with respect to certain desired qualities (as hardness, elasticity, or workability); especially the degree of hardness or resiliency given steel by tempering
- b. the feel and relative solidity of leather
3.
- ［b］［c darkslateg