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.
8. (Sugar Works) Milk of lime, or other substance, employed in the
process formerly used to clarify sugar.
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.
Syn. — Disposition; temperament; frame; humor; mood. See Disposition.
Tem"per, v. i. 1. To accord; to agree; to act and think in conformity.
[Obs.] Shak.
2. To have or get a proper or desired state or quality; to grow soft
and pliable.
I have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb, and
shortly will I seal with him.
Shak.
||Tem"pe*ra (?), n. [It.] (Paint.) A mode or process of painting;
||distemper.
||
The term is applied especially to early Italian painting, common
vehicles of which were yolk of egg, yolk and white of egg mixed
together, the white juice of the fig tree, and the like.
Tem"per*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being tempered.
The fusible, hard, and temperable texture of metals.
Emerson.
Tem"per*a*ment (?), n. [L. temperamentum a mixing in due proportion,
proper measure, temperament: cf. F. tempérament. See Temper, v. t.] 1.
Internal constitution; state with respect to the relative proportion of
different qualities, or constituent parts.
The common law . . . has reduced the kingdom to its just state and
temperament.
Sir M. Hale.
2. Due mixture of qualities; a condition brought about by mutual
compromises or concessions. [Obs.]
However, I forejudge not any probable expedient, any temperament that
can be found in things of this nature, so disputable on their side.
Milton.
3. The act of tempering or modifying; adjustment, as of clashing rules,
interests, passions, or the like; also, the means by which such
adjustment is effected.
Wholesome temperaments of the rashness of popular assemblies.
Sir J. Mackintosh.