temperament

[Lat. temper amentum =a mean, moderation, from tempero to moderate, to temper (q. v.).] I. Ordinary Language : *1. A compromise or middle ground on which two contending parties can meet; a medium between two extreme opinions: a middle course or an arrangement reached by mutual conce ion, or by tempering the extreme claims on either side, adjustment of opposing influences, or the means by which such an adjustment is effected. "However, I forejudge not any probable expedient, any temperament that can be found in things of this nature, so disputable on either side." -Milton : Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth . 2. State with regard to the relative proportion of different qualities or constituent parts; constitution; due mixture of opposite or different qualities; a condition arising from the proper blending of various qualities. "Galen was not a better physician than an ill divine, while he determines the soul to be the complexion and temperament of the prime qualities."-Bp. Hall : The Invisible World , bk. ix., § 1. 3. That individual peculiarity of physical organization by which the manner of acting, feeling, and thinking of each person is permanently affected. Temperament, called by the Greeks krasis , meaning a mixture or tempering of elements, was anciently supposed to arise from the union of two or more of the entities, heat, cold, drouth, or těm-per, s. [TEMPER, v.; cf. Lat. temperies =a moisture, corresponding to the so-called elements, tempering, right admixture.] I. Ordinary Language : *1. Bodily temperament; that constitution of body arising from the due blending or mixture of the four principal humors. (TEMPERAMENT 1.3.] "The exquisitene of his [the Savior's] bodily temper increased the exquisitene of his torment."- Fuller : Pisgah Sight , i. 345. fire, air, earth, and water. There were four temperaments recognized by Hippo crates, which he supposes to have arisen from the mixture of four secondary or compound elements, blood, phlegm or pituita, yellow bile, and black bile. Blood is supposed by him to be a combination of hot and moist, phlegm of cold and moist, yellow bile of hot and dry, and black bile of cold and dry. While his explanation is rejected, his four temperaments are pine, pit, sire, sir, marine; gō, pot, temperamental still recognized under the names of the Sanguine or Sanguineous, the Lymphatic or Phlegmatic, the Choleric or Bilious, and the Melancholic or Atrabilious temperaments. (See these words.) *4. Condition, as to heat or cold; temperature. "They do not provide [refreshments] in proportion to the fertility of the soil, and the temperament of the climate."-Cook: First Voyage , bk. iii., ch. xiv. II. Music: In its broadest sense, the division of the octave; in a narrower sense, the modification of intervals from their strict mathematical value in order to secure a recurring and interchangeable series in consecutive octaves. The most common form of temperament is that now used on piano fortes and organs, known as Equal Temperament, in which the octave is divided into twelve equal parts called mean semitones; but in order to secure this, the fifths have to be slightly flatter than 3:2, and the thirds considerably sharper than 5:4. If thirds and fifths be required in just intonation, the number of keys on keyed instruments must be inconveniently multiplied; such instruments are sometimes called enharmonic Systems of Unequal ne in certain common keys at the sacrifice of the intonation of those more remote. For the difference between temperament and frame, see FRAME. IMG:content-0887.png:[blocks in formation] "Not more unlike, physically or temperamentally , were Brébeuf and Lalemant." -Scribner's Magazine , May, 1880, p. 89. tem-per-ançe, *tem-per-an-çỹ, *tem-per 4025 Virginia. In 1812 the Rev. H. Humphrey recommended total abstinence, as did Dr. Lyman Beecher, and various temperance societies arose. Not, however, till 1836 was the American Temperance Union formed on the basis of total abstinence. In 1840 the Washington i ans were founded in the city of Balti more, and in 1842 the Sons of Temperance were instituted in New York City. From 1845 commenced the various orders with ritual and insignia, which have gradually been extended to or imitated in Europe. As early as 1818 a total abstinence society, believed to have been the first in date throughout the world, had been founded at Skibbereen, in Ireland. In England the movement began at Bradford, in February, 1830. The British and Foreign Temper ance Society was formed in London early in 1831. On August 23, 1832, Joseph Livesey, then a member of the Preston Temperance Society, drew up the teetotal pledge, the first signers of which are known as the "seven men of Preston." This inaugurated the modern teetotal movement. In 1838 Father Theobald Mathew, a Capuchin friar, became the of 1839 obtained 1,800,000 recruits to the cause. The apostle temperance for Ireland, and by the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union was founded in May, 1855. In 1868 the Independent Order of Good Templars, probably the most widespread of all temperance organizations, was planted in England by Mr. Joseph Malins. In 1873 Cardinal Manning and Father Nugent commenced a vigorous temperance movement among the Roman Catholics. The feeling in favor of temperance is steadily growing, and the numerous societies with their large membership constitute a very potent social and political force. The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, with its auxiliary state and territorial unions, besides that of the District of Columbia, is the largest society ever composed exclusively of women and conducted entirely by them. It has been organized in every state and territory of the nation, and locally in about ten you sand towns and Port. temper ança ; Ital. temperanza , tempranza . Sir Thomas Elyot, writing in 1534, says that the word was not then in general use.] 1. Moderation; observance of moderation; tem peratene ; specifically (1) Self-restraint; moderation of pa ion; patience, calmne . ( Milton : P. L. , xii. 583.) (2) Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and pa ions; abstinence from all exce , improper indulgence, or the use of anything injurious to moral or physical well-being; restrained or moderate indulgence; in a more limited sense, abstinence from or moderation in the use of intoxicating liquors. ( Milton : P. L. , xi. 531.) *2. Chastity. (Shakesp.: Rape of Lucrece, 884.) *3. Agreeable temperature; mild climate. "It [the island) must needs be of subtle, tender, and delicate temperance ." --Shakesp .: Tempest , ii. 1. Temperance is frequently used adjectively; as, a temperance society, a temperance meeting, . temperance hospital, s . Med .: A hospital in which alcohol is not used as a beverage, and is only employed very sparingly and under test conditions as a medicine.