Main Entry:

tem·per·a·ment

Pronunciation:

\ˈtem-p(ə-)rə-mənt, -pər-mənt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin temperamentum, from temperare to mix, temper

Date:

15th century

1obsolete a: constitution of a substance, body, or organism with respect to the mixture or balance of its elements, qualities, or parts : makeup b: complexion 12obsolete a: climate b: temperature 23 a: the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character determined by the relative proportions of the humors according to medieval physiology b: characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response <a nervous temperament> c: extremely high sensibility ; especially : excessive sensitiveness or irritability4 a: the act or process of tempering or modifying : adjustment, compromise b: middle course : mean5: the slight modification of acoustically pure intervals in tuning a musical instrument ; especially : modification that produces a set of 12 equally spaced tones to the octave

synonyms see disposition