attemper
Americanverb (used with object)
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to modify or moderate by mixing or blending with something different or opposite.
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to regulate or modify the temperature of.
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to soothe; mollify; mitigate.
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to accommodate; adapt (usually followed byto ).
verb
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to modify by blending; temper
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to moderate or soothe
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to accommodate or bring into harmony
Other Word Forms
- attemperment noun
- unattempered adjective
Etymology
Origin of attemper
1325–75; Middle English attemperen < Latin attemperāre to adjust ( at-, temper ); replacing Middle English attempren < Middle French attemprer < Latin, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness,
From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022
Lifted sashes and lofty ceilings were insufficient to attemper it.
From Arthur Mervyn Or, Memoirs of the Year 1793 by Brown, Charles Brockden
They are sometimes a little faulty in rhyme and melody: but they are never lame from imbecility. ——he has the happiest wit, Who has discretion to attemper it.
From Bibliomania; or Book-Madness A Bibliographical Romance by Dibdin, Thomas Frognall
It was evident that neither fire nor clothing would, in an habitation like that, attemper the chilling blasts.
From Ormond, Volume I (of 3) or, The Secret Witness by Brown, Charles Brockden
To this end, The Cooler, and moderately refreſhing, ſhould be choſen to extinguiſh Thirſt, attemper the Blood, repreſs Vapours, &c.
From Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets by Evelyn, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
