GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions 

  1.       

    Temper , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tempered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Tempering.] [AS. temprian or OF. temper, F. tempérer, and (in sense 3) temper, L. temperare, akin to tempus time.  Cf. Temporal, Distemper, Tamper.]
    1. To mingle in due proportion; to prepare by combining; to modify, as by adding some new element; to qualify, as by an ingredient; hence, to soften; to mollify; to assuage; to soothe; to calm.
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      Puritan austerity was so tempered by Dutch indifference, that mercy itself could not have dictated a milder system.
      Bancroft.

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      Woman! lovely woman! nature made thee
      To temper man: we had been brutes without you.
      Otway.

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      But thy fire
      Shall be more tempered, and thy hope far higher.
      Byron.

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      She [the Goddess of Justice] threw darkness and clouds about her, that tempered the light into a thousand beautiful shades and colors.
      Addison.

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    2. To fit together; to adjust; to accomodate.
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      Thy sustenance . . . serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking.
      Wisdom xvi. 21.

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    3. (Metal.) To bring to a proper degree of hardness; as, to temper iron or steel.
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      The tempered metals clash, and yield a silver sound.
      Dryden.

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    4. To govern; to manage. [A Latinism & Obs.]
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      With which the damned ghosts he governeth,
      And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth.
      Spenser.

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    5. To moisten to a proper consistency and stir thoroughly, as clay for making brick, loam for molding, etc.
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    6. (Mus.) To adjust, as the mathematical scale to the actual scale, or to that in actual use.
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      Syn. -- To soften; mollify; assuage; soothe; calm.
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  2.       

    Temper, n.
    1. The state of any compound substance which results from the mixture of various ingredients; due mixture of different qualities; just combination; as, the temper of mortar.
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    2. Constitution of body; temperament; in old writers, the mixture or relative proportion of the four humors, blood, choler, phlegm, and melancholy.
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      The exquisiteness of his [Christ's] bodily temper increased the exquisiteness of his torment.
      Fuller.

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    3. Disposition of mind; the constitution of the mind, particularly with regard to the passions and affections; as, a calm temper; a hasty temper; a fretful temper.
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      Remember with what mild
      And gracious temper he both heared and judged.
      Milton.

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      The consequents of a certain ethical temper.
      J. H. Newman.

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    4. Calmness of mind; moderation; equanimity; composure; as, to keep one's temper.
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      To fall with dignity, with temper rise.
      Pope.

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      Restore yourselves to your tempers, fathers.
      B. Jonson.

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    5. Heat of mind or passion; irritation; proneness to anger; -- in a reproachful sense. [Colloq.]
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    6. The state of a metal or other substance, especially as to its hardness, produced by some process of heating or cooling; as, the temper of iron or steel.
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    7. Middle state or course; mean; medium. [R.]
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      The perfect lawgiver is a just temper between the mere man of theory, who can see nothing but general principles, and the mere man of business, who can see nothing but particular circumstances.
      Macaulay.

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    8. (Sugar Works) Milk of lime, or other substance, employed in the process formerly used to clarify sugar.
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      Temper screw, in deep well boring, an adjusting screw connecting the working beam with the rope carrying the tools, for lowering the tools as the drilling progresses.
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      Syn. -- Disposition; temperament; frame; humor; mood. See Disposition.
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  3.       

    Temper, v. i.
    1. To accord; to agree; to act and think in conformity. [Obs.]
      Shak.

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    2. To have or get a proper or desired state or quality; to grow soft and pliable.
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      I have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb, and shortly will I seal with him.
      Shak.

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