With which the damned ghosts he governeth, And furies rules, and
Tartare tempereth.
Spenser.
5. To moisten to a proper consistency and stir thoroughly, as clay for
making brick, loam for molding, etc.
6. (Mus.) To adjust, as the mathematical scale to the actual scale, or
to that in actual use.
Syn. — To soften; mollify; assuage; soothe; calm.
Tem"per, 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.
2. Constitution of body; temperament; in old writers, the mixture or
relative proportion of the four humors, blood, choler, phlegm, and
melancholy.
The exquisiteness of his [Christ's] bodily temper increased the
exquisiteness of his torment.
Fuller.
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.
Remember with what mild And gracious temper he both heared and judged.
Milton.
The consequents of a certain ethical temper.
J. H. Newman.
4. Calmness of mind; moderation; equanimity; composure; as, to keep
one's temper.
To fall with dignity, with temper rise.
Pope.
Restore yourselves to your tempers, fathers.
B. Jonson.
5. Heat of mind or passion; irritation; proneness to anger; — in a
reproachful sense. [Colloq.]
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.