Tem"per*a*ment (?), n. [L.
temperamentum a mixing in due proportion, proper measure,
temperament: cf. F. tempérament. See Temper,
v. t.] 1. Internal constitution;
state with respect to the relative proportion of different qualities, or
constituent parts.
The common law . . . has reduced the kingdom to its just
state and temperament.
Sir M. Hale.
2. Due mixture of qualities; a condition brought
about by mutual compromises or concessions. [Obs.]
However, I forejudge not any probable expedient, any
temperament that can be found in things of this nature, so
disputable on their side.
Milton.
3. 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.
Wholesome temperaments of the rashness of popular
assemblies.
Sir J. Mackintosh.
4. Condition with regard to heat or cold;
temperature. [Obs.]
Bodies are denominated "hot" and "cold" in proportion to the
present temperament of that part of our body to which they are
applied.
Locke.
5. (Mus.) 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.
6. (Physiol.) 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.
Equal temperament (Mus.), that in which the
variations from mathematically true pitch are distributed among all the
keys alike. -- Unequal temperament (Mus.),
that in which the variations are thrown into the keys least
used.
Tem"per*a*ment (?), n. [L.
temperamentum a mixing in due proportion, proper measure,
temperament: cf. F. tempérament. See Temper,
v. t.] 1. Internal constitution;
state with respect to the relative proportion of different qualities, or
constituent parts.
The common law . . . has reduced the kingdom to its just
state and temperament.
Sir M. Hale.
2. Due mixture of qualities; a condition brought
about by mutual compromises or concessions. [Obs.]
However, I forejudge not any probable expedient, any
temperament that can be found in things of this nature, so
disputable on their side.
Milton.
3. 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.
Wholesome temperaments of the rashness of popular
assemblies.
Sir J. Mackintosh.
4. Condition with regard to heat or cold;
temperature. [Obs.]
Bodies are denominated "hot" and "cold" in proportion to the
present temperament of that part of our body to which they are
applied.
Locke.
5. (Mus.) 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.
6. (Physiol.) 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.
Equal temperament (Mus.), that in which the
variations from mathematically true pitch are distributed among all the
keys alike. -- Unequal temperament (Mus.),
that in which the variations are thrown into the keys least
used.
