tem·per·a·ment
(t
m
pr
-m
nt, t
m
p
r-
-)
KEY
NOUN:
-
- The manner of thinking, behaving, or reacting characteristic of a specific person:
a nervous temperament.
See Synonyms at disposition.
- The distinguishing mental and physical characteristics of a human according to medieval physiology, resulting from dominance of one of the four humors.
- Excessive irritability or sensitiveness:
an actor with too much temperament.
-
Music
Equal temperament.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin
temper
mentum, from
temperre,
to temper ; see
temper
