Temperament

Definition:

  • (v. t.) Internal constitution; state with respect to the relative proportion of different qualities, or constituent parts.
  • (v. t.) Due mixture of qualities; a condition brought about by mutual compromises or concessions.
  • (v. t.) The act of tempering or modifying; adjustment, as of clashing rules, interests, passions, or the like; also, the means by which such adjustment is effected.
  • (v. t.) Condition with regard to heat or cold; temperature.
  • (v. t.) A system of compromises in the tuning of organs, pianofortes, and the like, whereby the tones generated with the vibrations of a ground tone are mutually modified and in part canceled, until their number reduced to the actual practicable scale of twelve tones to the octave. This scale, although in so far artificial, is yet closely suggestive of its origin in nature, and this system of tuning, although not mathematically true, yet satisfies the ear, while it has the convenience that the same twelve fixed tones answer for every key or scale, C/ becoming identical with D/, and so on.
  • (v. t.) The peculiar physical and mental character of an individual, in olden times erroneously supposed to be due to individual variation in the relations and proportions of the constituent parts of the body, especially of the fluids, as the bile, blood, lymph, etc. Hence the phrases, bilious or choleric temperament, sanguine temperament, etc., implying a predominance of one of these fluids and a corresponding influence on the temperament.

Compare temperament with other words:

temperament vs. temperate

mannerism vs. temperament

attitude vs. temperament

snarler vs. temperament

character vs. temperament

characteristic vs. temperament

personality vs. temperament

habitude vs. temperament

peppery vs. temperament

natured vs. temperament

disposition vs. temperament

key vs. temperament

improve vs. temperament

temperament vs. value

correct vs. temperament

interval vs. temperament

altering vs. temperament

angry vs. temperament

irritable vs. temperament

temperament vs. tendency

behaving vs. temperament

temperament vs. thinking

manner vs. temperament

composition vs. temperament

consistence vs. temperament

compound vs. temperament

mixture vs. temperament

proportionable vs. temperament

moderate vs. temperament

temperament vs. temperamental

mettle vs. temperament

temperament vs. temperance

complexion vs. temperament

composure vs. temperament

chromatic vs. temperament

mood vs. temperament

kidney vs. temperament

constitution vs. temperament

relaxed vs. temperament

temperament vs. temperature