| 释义 |
tem·per·a·ment
\ˈtemp(ə)rəmənt, -pərm-\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin temperamentum, from temperare to mix, blend, regulate + -mentum -ment — more at temper
1. obsolete
a. : the state (as of a substance, body, or organism) with respect to the mixture or balance in due proportions of its elements, qualities, or parts : constitution, makeup
< the best founded commonwealths … have aimed at a certain mixture or temperament, partaking the several virtues of each other state — John Milton >
b. : complexion 1b
2.
a. : the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character of a person as determined according to medieval physiology by the relative proportions of the humors in his body — compare humor I 1b
< the choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic, and sanguine temperaments >
b. : characteristic or habitual inclination, frame of mind, or mode of emotional response
< a nervous temperament >
< the artistic temperament >
< the poetic temperament >
< buoyant and expansive in temperament >
< the mind of a dreamer joined to the temperament of a soldier — John Buchan >
< the temperament of an animal shown by its gait and carriage >
c. : extremely high sensibility; especially : excessive sensitiveness or irritability often accompanied by impatience or lack of restraint : temper
< always having temperament and making trouble — This Week Magazine >
< dropped his racket during a rare display of temperament — Harry Gordon >
3. archaic
a. : climate
b. : temperature 5
4. archaic
a. : the act or process of tempering or modifying : adjustment, compromise
< any temperament that can be found in things … so disputable — John Milton >
b. : middle course : mean
< a judicious temperament, which the reformers would have done well to adopt — Henry Hallam >
5.
a. : the system or process of slightly modifying the musical intervals of the pure scale to produce a set of compromise tones consisting of 12 fixed tones to the octave and thus permit modulations without the use of an inconveniently large number of distinctions in pitch
b. : the adjustment so made
Synonyms: see disposition |