tempean

[See def.] Of or pertaining to Tempe, a celebrated and beautiful vale in The aly, described by the poets as the most delightful spot on the earth; hence, fig., delightful, enchanting, lovely. těm'-per, *tem-pre, *tem-pri-en, v . t . & i . [Fr. tempérer =to temper, from Lat. tempero to apportion, to moderate, to regulate, to qualify. Allied to temp us time; temper i, tempori =seasonably; Sp. temperar , templar ; Port. temperar ; Ital. tem perare .] IMG:content-0885.png:[blocks in formation] "O woman, lovely woman! Nature made thee To temper man: we had been brutes without you." Otway: Venice Preserved , i. 1. 3. To mingle, mix, or combine properly or in due proportion; to blend; to form by mixture; to compound. "Then in a bowl he tempers generous wines, Around whose verge a mimic ivy twines." Pope: Homer's Ody ey, xvi. 58. 4. To proportion duly as regards constituent parts; to unite or combine in due proportion; to adjust. "God hath tempered the body together that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another."-1 Cor inth . xii. 24, 25. 5. To mix and work up. IMG:content-0886.png:[blocks in formation] 1. To have or acquire a proper or desired state or quality; to become soft and pliable. "I have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb, and shortly will I seal with him."- Shakesp .: Henry IV ., Pt . II ., iv. 3. 2. To accord; to act and think in accord or conformity. "Few men rightly temper with the stars." Shakesp.: Henry VI., Pt . III ., iv. 6. temperament 2. Due mixture of different qualities; the state of any compound substance which results from the mixture of various ingredients. "Nothing better proveth the excellency of this soil and temper , than the abundant growing of the palm-trees." Raleigh : Hist. World. *3. Middle course, state, or character; mean, medium. "If the estates of some bishops were exorbitant before reformation, the present clergy's wishes reach further mation seasonable temper had been used, instead of paring them so quick."- Swift : Miscellanies. *4. Calmne of mind; moderation, self-restraint, temperatene . "Oh! ble ed with temper , whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day." Pope: Moral E ays, ii. 257. 5. Disposition of mind; constitution of the mind, especially as regards the pa ions and affections. "His temper , in spite of manifold vexations and provocations, was always cheerful and serene."- Macaulay : Hist . Eng . , ch. xiv. 6. Mood, humor, disposition. "Thus the nation was in such a temper that the smallest spark might raise a flame." -Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. ii. 7. Heat of mind or pa ion; pronene or disposition to give way to anger, rage, or pa ion; irritation. 8. Habits, natural inclinations. "Such as have a knowledge of the town may easily cla smith: E ays, i. themselves with tempers congenial to their own."-Gold 9. The state of a metal, particularly as regards its hardne . "The hot pieces of iron he would hammer out and harden them to a good temper as there was occasion." -Dampier: Voyages (an. 1683). 10. Quality. "His courage was of the truest temper ; his understand. ing strong but narrow." -Macaulay : Hist. Eng., ch. xv. 11. An alloy used by pewterers, consisting of two parts of tin to one of copper. II. Sugar - manuf .: Milk of lime, or its equivalent, added to boiling syrup to clarify it and neutralize the superabundant acid. For the difference between temper , disposition , and frame , see DISPOSITION. temper-screw, s . 1. Well - boring : A piece by which the tools are suspended from the walking beam, and are lowered as the drilling progre es. 2. A set-screw for adjustment; one which brings its point against a bearing or an object. těm-per-ą, s. [Ital.] Paint.: The same as DiISTEMPER (2) (q. v.). těm-per-a-ble, a . [Eng. temper; -able.] Capable of being tempered.