tempera

[ tem-per-uh ]

noun

1. a technique of painting in which an emulsion consisting of water and pure egg yolk or a mixture of egg and oil is used as a binder or medium, characterized by its lean film-forming properties and rapid drying rate.
2. a painting executed in this technique.
3. a water paint used in this technique in which the egg-water or egg-oil emulsion is used as a binder. Compare distemper ²( defs 1, 2 ).

tempera

/ ˈtɛmpərə /

noun

1. a painting medium for powdered pigments, consisting usually of egg yolk and water
2. 1. any emulsion used as a painting medium, with casein, glue, wax, etc, as a base
   2. the paint made from mixing this with pigment
3. the technique of painting with tempera

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempera¹

1825–35; < Italian, short for ( pingere a ) tempera (painting in) distemper, derivative of temperare to mingle, temper; temper

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempera¹

C19: from Italian phrase pingere a tempera painting in tempera, from temperare to mingle; see temper

Related Words

• acrylic
• color
• cosmetic
• dye
• enamel
• latex
• makeup
• oil
• pigment
• stain
• varnish
• wax