Temperament

n. Internal constitution; temperature; act of tempering or modifying; adjustment (of clashing rules, interests, pa ions, etc.) {Mus.) A system of compromises in the tuning of organs, piano fortes, etc., whereby the tones generated with the vibrations of a ground-tone are mutually modified and in part canceled, until their number is duced to the actual practicable scale of 12 tones the octave. {Med.) The peculiar physical and mental character of an individual; natural organization or constitution. — Tem^perance, -per-ans, n. Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and pa ions; sedatene ; sobriety; abstinence from violence, exce , or improper indulgence; abstinence from, or moderation in, the use intoxicating liquors. — Tem'perate, -per-et, a. Moderate; not exce ive; moderate in the indulgence the appetites and pa ions; not marked with pa ion; sun, cube, full; moon, fo"6t; cow, oil; not violent; abstemious; sober; calm; cool: sedate.— Temperate zone. {Geog.) The space on the earth's -esurface between the tropics and polar circles, where the heat is le than in the tropics, and the cold le than in the polar circles: see Zone.— Tem'perature, -a-chur, n. Constitution; state; degree of any quality. '{Physics.) Condition with respect to heut or cold; degree of heat or cold.