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Origin and history of temper

temper(v.)

"mix or work up into proper condition, adjust or restore to proper proportions;" Middle English temperen, from late Old English temprian "to moderate by mixture, bring to a proper or suitable state, modify (some excessive quality), restrain within due limits," from Latin temperare "observe proper measure, be moderate, restrain oneself," also transitive, "mix correctly, mix in due proportion; regulate, rule, govern, manage."

This often is described as from Latin tempus "time, season" (see temporal (adj.1)), with a notion of "proper time or season." But as the root sense of tempus seems to be "stretch," the words in the "restrain, modify" sense might be from a semantic shift from "stretching" to "measuring" (compare temple (n.1)).

The meaning "make (steel) hard and elastic" is from late 14c. The sense of "tune the pitch of a musical instrument" is recorded from c. 1300. Related: Tempered; tempering.

temper(n.)

late 14c., "due proportion of elements or qualities," in reference to bodily humors, medicinal ingredients, etc., from temper (v.). Also "moderation, restraint," also "temperance" (early 15c.); "calm state of mind, tranquility" (c. 1600).

The sense of "characteristic state of mind, inclination, disposition" is attested by 1590s, based on the supposed effect of the humors in old physiology (compare temperament). The meaning "angry state of mind, disposition to give way to anger" (for bad temper) is by 1828. The meaning "degree of hardness and resiliency in steel" is attested from mid-15c.

also from late 14c.

Entries linking to temper

temperament(n.)

late 14c., "proportioned mixture of elements;" also "action of moderating excessive quality or spirit," from Latin temperamentum "proper mixture, a mixing in due proportion," from temperare "mix in due proportion, modify, blend; restrain oneself" (see temper (v.)).

In old physiology and medicine, it referred to a proportionate combining of qualities (hot, cold, moist, dry) that determined the nature of an organism. Thus, by correspondence, also, "that combination of the four humors (sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic) that make up a person's characteristic disposition and manner of acting and feeling." The general sense of "habit of mind, natural disposition" is by 1821.

tempered(adj.)

"brought to desired hardness" (of metals, especially steel), 1650s, past-participle adjective from temper (v.). The meaning "toned down by admixture" also is from 1650s. In modern use in reference to music or musical instruments, "tuned to a particular temper," from 1727 (compare well-tempered).