attemper

t. [In O. Fr. attemprer; Ital. attemper are; Lat. attempero = to fit, to adjust, to accommodate; from ad to, and tempero duly to proportion.] [TEMPER.] 1. To mix anything with another in just proportions; to regulate. 2. To temper; to dilute or reduce to a more moderate strength or amount anything that is exce ive. "Nobility attempers sovereignty, and draws the eyes of the people somewhat aside from the line royal."- Bacon . 3. To soften; to mollify. "His early providence could likewise have attem pered his nature therein."- Bacon . "Those smiling eyes, attemp'ring every ray, Shone sweetly lambent with celestial day. Pope: Eloisa to Abelard, 63-4 4. To fit to something else. "Phemius! let acts of gods and heroes old, Attempered to the lyre, your voice employ." Pope: Homer; Ody ey L. 436. * ạt - těm – për-ançe, * at - těm – përaunçe, s. [Eng. attemper; -ance.) Temperance, moderation. 1. Gen. In all things. "The felawes of abstinence ben at temperance , that holdeth the mean in alle thinges: also shame, that escheweth all dishonesty." Chaucer: Per sones Tule. 2. Spec. In the use of liquor, or of food, or of both. "By this virtue, attemper a unce , the creature reasonable kepeth hym from to much drinke, and from to moch mete." - Institution of a Christian Man.