temperamentn.
/ˈtɛmpərəmənt/ I. Senses relating to proportionate balance.† 1. A moderate and proportionable mixture of elements in a compound; the condition in which elements are combined in their due proportions.† 2. State or condition with respect to the proportion of ingredients or manner of mixing; consistence, composition; mixture. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being combined > [noun] > in various or proper proportions
temperament?a1412
temperance1471
temperancy1526
temperature1538
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [noun] > due proportion or proportionateness > proportionate mixture
tempera1387
temperament?a1412
temperature1538
contemperature1567
?a1412 J. Lydgate Fabula Duorum Merc. 303 Yiff..heete or blood passe his temperament, In to a fevere anoon a man it leedith.
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions i. v. f. 32 Crasis or temperamente..is an agreement, and conueniencie of the first qualities & Elementes amonge themselues: Or, an equall mixture or proportion of the qualityes of the Elements, wherein no excesse blameworthy or faultye is to be founde.
1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Temperament, a moderate and proportionable mixture of any thing, but more peculiarly of the four humours of the body.
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician iv. 124 The cure of a wasting Flux..consists in the restitution of the temperament.
1684 J. Phillips tr. N. A. de La Framboisière Art of Physick i. 18 A Temperament is a proportion of the four chief Elementary Qualities proper for the true exercise of the Natural Functions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > [noun]
shapec1050
composition1382
temperc1400
confectionc1420
temperament1471
frame?1520
compage1550
architecture1590
compacture1590
structure?1591
fabricaturec1600
constitution1601
membrature1606
composture1614
compositure1625
contexturea1639
composure1639
economy1644
fabric1644
conformation1646
composier1648
constructurea1652
compages1660
mechanism1662
compound1671
construction1707
componency1750
formation1774
make-up1821
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > [noun] > action or fact of mixing > in due proportion
temperament1471
temperature1538
contemperature1567
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy iv. xiv, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 147 A temperament not so thyk as the Body ys, Nother so thyn as Water.
1596 P. Barrough Method of Phisick (ed. 3) viii. 476 Boyle it againe vntill it come to the temperament of an ointment.
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 72 The best founded Common-wealths..have aym'd at a certaine mixture and temperament, partaking the severall vertues of each others State.
1664 N. Ingelo Bentivolio & Urania: 2nd Pt. vi. 357 That the Soul is not a Temperament of Corporeal Humours is manifest.
a1673 J. Caryl in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1872) III. Ps. lxvi. 12 A due temperament of heat and cold, of dryness and moistness.
II. Senses relating to constitution or condition.† 3. In the natural philosophy of the Middle Ages: The combination of supposed qualities (hot or cold, moist or dry) in a certain proportion, determining the nature of a plant or other body (= complexion n. 1); characteristic nature; known spec. as universal temperament (cf. 6). Obsolete.† 5. Condition with regard to warmth or coldness; = temperature n. 7. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > character or nature > [noun]
birtha1250
the manner ofc1300
formc1310
propertyc1390
naturea1393
condition1393
qualitya1398
temperc1400
taragec1407
naturality?a1425
profession?a1439
affecta1460
temperament1471
essence?1533
affection1534
spirit?1534
temperature1539
natural spirit1541
character1577
complexion1589
tincture1590
idiom1596
qualification1602
texture1611
connativea1618
thread1632
genius1639
complexure1648
quale1654
indoles1672
suchness1674
staminaa1676
trim1707
tenor1725
colouring1735
tint1760
type1843
aura1859
thusness1883
physis1923
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy i. xviii, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 133 For soe to temperment ys brought our Stone, And Natures contraryose, fower be made one.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. lxvi. 97 Some men write of this herbe [Water Plantayne], that it is of temperament colde and dry.
1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 274 Let no man attribute to all salts one temperament.
1665 G. Havers tr. P. della Valle Trav. E. India 70 Of temperament, 'tis held to be hot, and good to promote digestion.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) ii. iv. 153 The experience of various temperaments and operations of those Herbs.
4. The condition of the weather or climate as resulting from the different combinations of the qualities, heat or cold, dryness or humidity; climate. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > [noun] > prevailing weather or climate
temperurea1387
heavena1398
temper1483
sunc1540
climate1548
sky1583
temperament1583
clime1597
meteorologicsc1600
climature1615
meteorology1684
1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke iv. xiii. 192 Of all temperamentes of the ayre, the worste is that, which is hote and moist.
1684 R. Waller tr. Ess. Nat. Exper. Acad. del Cimento 10 Not onely from the season of the Year, and temperament of the Air, but from the Nature of the Soils and Countries themselves.
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. i. ii. 17 The Cause assigned to malignant, epidemical Diseases;..and that is, an hot and moist Temperament of the Air.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. I. 531 Change of air..where the difference of temperament, or even temperature, can be rendered very considerable.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 492 The temperament of their seasons is such that they have no disease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > [noun]
temper1562
temperament1658
temperature1670
thermality1884
temp1886
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid iv. i. 304 Wound Unguents and wound Plaisters should alwaies stand in one temperament.
a1704 J. Locke Elem. Nat. Philos. xi, in Coll. Several Pieces (1720) 225 Bodys are denominated hot and cold in proportion to the present temperament of that part of our body, to which they are apply'd.
1736 Compl. Family-piece ii. iii. 277 To keep up your Heat to the same Temperament.
1799 Philos. Mag. 3 419 A given quantity of cold water, or water of any given temperament.
6. In medieval physiology: The combination of the four cardinal humours (see humour n. 1a) of the body, by the relative proportion of which the physical and mental constitution were held to be determined; known spec. as animal temperament; also, The bodily habit attributed to this, as sanguine temperament, choleric temperament, phlegmatic temperament, or melancholic temperament (see the adjectives). See temper n. 8.In modern use the term temperament and the names of the four temperaments continue, without any theory of combination of humours.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > [noun] > disposition arising from humours
complexion1393
temperature1561
humour?1563
temperament1628
the world > life > the body > secretory organs > secretion > [noun] > fluid secretion > humours > combination of
complexion1393
crasis1602
temperament1628
tetrasyncrasy1651
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxx. sig. N8 Though the soule be not caused by the body; yet in the generall it followes the temperament of it.
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Invisible World (1659) ii. i. 79 Galen was not a better Physician then an ill Divine, whiles he determines the soul to be the complexion and temperament of the prime qualities.
1657 R. Tomlinson tr. J. de Renou Physical Inst. i, in Medicinal Dispensatory sig. Cv That [Medicament]..which..doth work a manifest mutation on our bodies,..either in temperament, in matter or form.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe Ep. Ded. Our minds are perpetually wrought on by the temperament of our Bodies.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) The ancient Physicians brought these Animal Temperaments to correspond with the universal Temperaments..: Thus the Sanguine Temperament was supposed to coincide with hot and moist; the Phlegmatic with cold and moist, the Melancholic with dry and cold, &c.
1818 T. L. Peacock Nightmare Abbey i. 1 This gentleman was naturally of an atrabilarious temperament.
1836 A. Walker Beauty in Woman 202 The ancients classed individuals in one or other of four temperaments, founded on the hypothesis of four humours,..the red part [of the blood], phlegm, yellow, and black bile... Hence were derived the names of the sanguine, the phlegmatic, the choleric, and the melancholic temperaments.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxxi. 421 Edward Fitzgerald, labourer,..temperament sanguineous.
7. Constitution or habit of mind, esp. as depending upon or connected with physical constitution; natural disposition; = temper n. 9.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > [noun]
heartOE
erda1000
moodOE
i-mindOE
i-cundeOE
costc1175
lundc1175
evena1200
kinda1225
custc1275
couragec1300
the manner ofc1300
qualityc1300
talentc1330
attemperancec1374
complexionc1386
dispositiona1387
propertyc1390
naturea1393
assay1393
inclinationa1398
gentlenessa1400
proprietya1400
habitudec1400
makingc1400
conditionc1405
habitc1405
conceitc1425
affecta1460
ingeny1477
engine1488
stomach?1510
mind?a1513
ingine1533
affection1534
vein1536
humour?1563
natural1564
facultyc1565
concept1566
frame1567
temperature1583
geniusa1586
bent1587
constitution1589
composition1597
character1600
tune1600
qualification1602
infusion1604
spirits1604
dispose1609
selfness1611
disposure1613
composurea1616
racea1616
tempera1616
crasisc1616
directiona1639
grain1641
turn1647
complexure1648
genie1653
make1674
personality1710
tonea1751
bearing1795
liver1800
make-up1821
temperament1821
naturalness1850
selfhood1854
Wesen1854
naturel1856
sit1857
fibre1864
character structure1873
mentality1895
mindset1909
psyche1910
where it's (he's, she's) at1967
1821 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto III liii. 29 He was a man of a strange temperament.
1842 E. B. Barrett Bk. Poets in Athenæum 11 June 521/3 The poetic temperament.
1843 E. Bulwer-Lytton Last of Barons I. iii. v. 250 Despite this general smoothness of mien, his temperament was naturally irritable, [and] quick.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits vii. 127 A slow temperament makes them less rapid and ready than other countrymen.
1868 M. E. Braddon Dead-Sea Fruit III. v. 64 Visions..such..as the man of sanguine temperament can always evolve.
1873 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (1875) i. iv. 25 The active temperament likes physical action for its own sake.
1891 Speaker 2 May 534/1 The unbiassed temperament which is essential to the true historian.
1894 W. B. Carpenter Son of Man (ed. 2) v Temperament is a convenient phrase to describe those qualities and dispositions which belong to him from birth.
III. The action or fact of tempering.
8. Moderating, moderation; lightening, alleviation, mitigation; due regulation. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun] > making less violent, vigorous, or severe
softinga1400
slakingc1400
mollifying?a1425
softening?a1425
temperament1475
moderationa1500
temperatinga1540
releasing?1543
amollishment1612
mollificationa1631
quietationa1639
castigationa1676
1475 Rolls of Parl. VI. 144/2 That a dewe moderation and temperament be observed.
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions i. i. f. 1v Vnlesse he haue the knowledge of his owne bodye, & be ripe and skilfull in the temperament thereof.
1697 S. Patrick Comm. Exod. (xxii. 11) 420 But there were some temperaments of this Law; for every Man was not admitted to purge himself by an Oath.
1861 Temple Bar Dec. 54 That a certain temperament of speed was ensured.
9.
a. The action of duly combining or adjusting different principles, claims, etc.; adjustment, compromise. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun]
measure1425
compromisea1513
arbitrament1549
giff-gaff1549
moderation1560
compromission1624
temporizement1647
contemperation1650
temperament1660
temporization1761
give and take1778
1660 Exact Accompt Trial Regicides 12 There is that excellent Temperament in our Laws, that..the King cannot rule, but by His Laws.
1678 G. Mackenzie Laws & Customes Scotl. ii. 520 By this just temprement, the interest of the Common-wealth, and the imbicility of Minors are both salved.
1686 F. Spence tr. A. Varillas Ἀνεκδοτα Ἑτερουιακα 52 The friends of Piero..propounded a temperament which equally fitted the king of Naples and duke of Milan's turn.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 86 These admit no temperament, and no compromise. View more context for this quotation
1794 E. Burke Let. 30 Dec. in Corr. (1969) VIII. 104 There is no medium,—there is no temperament,—there is no compromise with Jacobinism.
1818 H. Hallam View Europe Middle Ages I. iv. 435 As a fortunate temperament of law and justice with the royal authority.
b. A middle course or state between extremes of any kind; a medium, mean. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun] > instance of
midsc1485
temper?1523
composition1597
temperature1598
temperament1604
medium1719
compromise1797
come-between1877
trade-off1909
wash1976
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > condition of being mean or average > [noun] > mean
middlingOE
middlelOE
meanc1450
neutralityc1475
moyen1484
temper?1523
mediety1573
medium1593
temperature1598
temperament1604
intermedial1605
median1635
intermediate1650
average1737
middle term1754
mesne1821
intermediacy1836
intermediary1865
1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet. Temperament, temperatenes, meane, or due proportion.
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Temperament,..a moderation, mean or measure.
1697 tr. Countess D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 45 Wearied and tired, roasted by the heat of the Sun, or frozen by the Snows (for there is seldom any Temperament between these Two Extreams).
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero II. xi. 476 Rewards and punishments; in which..as in every thing else, a certain medium and temperament is to be observed.
1823 ‘G. Smith’ Not Paul, but Jesus 249 The causes..of this temperament—this mezzo termino—this middle course.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. ii. 94 A judicious temperament, which the reformers would have done well to adopt in some other points.
10. Music. The adjustment of the intervals of the scale (in the tuning of instruments of fixed intonation, as keyboard instruments), so as to adapt them to the purposes of practical harmony: consisting in slight variations of the pitch of the notes from true or ‘just’ intonation in order to make them available in different keys; a particular system of doing this. (Sometimes extended to any system of tuning, including that of just intonation.)The chief temperaments that have been practically used are mean-tone temperament (see mean tone n.); and equal temperament (now almost universal), in which the octave is divided into twelve (theoretically) equal semitones, so that the variations of pitch are evenly distributed throughout all keys.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > tuning or intonation > [noun]
temperure1390
modulation1543
tuning1554
temperature1592
temperament1728
intonation1776
just intonation1850
tuning1902
tune-up1977
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Temperament,..in Musick, a rectifying or mending the false or imperfect Concords, by transferring to them part of the Beauty of the perfect ones.
1788 T. Cavallo in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 78 242 This alteration of the just lengths of strings, necessary for adapting them to several key-notes, is called the temperament.
1881 J. Broadhouse Student's Helmholtz 354 Mean tone temperament was perfected by Salinas, a.d. 1577.
1881 J. Broadhouse Student's Helmholtz 356 The principle usually adopted at the present day for all keyed instruments is that called ‘Equal Temperament’, which professes to divide the octave into twelve exactly equal parts, though it does not actually so divide it.
1898 J. Stainer Stainer & Barrett's Dict. Musical Terms (rev. ed.) 437/1 The question of melodic progressions, as affecting the excellence of temperaments, is too extensive for our limits.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
temperamentv.
rare.
transitive. To endow with a temperament.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > character or nature > impart a character or nature to [verb (transitive)]
naturea1393
naturize1607
clothe1611
character1621
characterize1786
temperament1855
1855 R. W. Emerson Woman in Misc. (1884) 349 Men are not to the same degree temperamented.
Derivatives
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ˈtemperamented adj.
ˈtemperamenting adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > [adjective] > endowing with temperament
temperamenting1870
1870 R. W. Emerson Society & Solitude 153 The earth with its foods; the intellectual, temperamenting air;—these..are given immeasurably to all.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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n.?a1412
v.1855