temper

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | 700+ words | Copyright

temper †due mixture of elements XIV; chiefly in various senses of temperament and temperature from XV; mental balance XVII; frame of mind; (outburst of) ill humour XIX. f. temper vb. †mingle, blend; restrain, †regulate OE.; impart due hardness, etc. to (steel) XIV. OE. temprian (= OS. temperon) — L. temperāre mingle, restrain oneself, perh. orig. combine in due proportion, and rel. to tempus, temper- time, due season.
So tempera painting in distemper. XIX. — It. in phr. pingere a tempera, f. temperare — L. temperament †due mixture of elements XV; combination of the four cardinal humours XVII; natural disposition XIX. — L. temperāmentum. temperance self-restraint XIV; spec. in food and drink XVI. — AN. temperaunce — L. temperantia. temperate moderate XIV; of the zones between the torrid and frigid XVI. — L. temperātus, pp. of temperāre; see -ATE2. temperature †mixture; †temperament XVI; state with regard to heat and cold XVII. — F. or L.

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T. F. HOAD. "temper." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "temper." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-temper.html

T. F. HOAD. "temper." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-temper.html

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