tempered

[ tem-perd ]

adjective

1. having a temper or disposition of a specified character (usually used in combination):

   a good-tempered child.

2. Music. tuned in accordance with some other temperament than just or pure temperament, especially tuned in equal temperament.
3. made less intense or violent, especially by the influence of something good or benign:

   justice tempered with mercy.

4. properly moistened or mixed, as clay.
5. Metallurgy. of or relating to steel or cast iron that has been tempered.

tempered

/ ˈtɛmpəd /

adjective

1. music
   1. (of a scale) having the frequency differences between notes adjusted in accordance with the system of equal temperament See temperament
   2. (of an interval) expanded or contracted from the state of being pure
2. in combination having a temper or temperament as specified

   ill-tempered

Other Words From

• non·tempered adjective
• un·tempered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempered¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; temper, -ed ², -ed ³

Example Sentences

The Mixsi Hard Case’s screen protector is made of tempered glass, so it’s difficult to shatter despite its super thin material.

From Popular-Science

The tempered rate of inflation, which should allay the market’s fears of an overheated economy, owed a lot to a slowdown in the prices of used cars, which had galloped upwards in the spring and early summer.

From Quartz

The domineering, short-tempered father we meet in flashbacks is contrasted with the humbler, gentler dad who engages in banter and sings Lady Gaga with his son on the road.

From Washington Blade

Sure to last, the frame is made of rust-resistant painted iron, the table top is made of tempered glass, and the cushions are quick-drying.

From Popular-Science

“I am inclined to claim tempered optimism, since offshore wind development is only partly driven by the federal government, and just as much driven by local rules and regulations, and local activism and acceptance,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

But for some of us, while its closing was sad, it was a tempered sadness.

From The Daily Beast

And the days in which a director, even Alfred Hitchcock, can get him for a million are gone the way of the sweet-tempered usher.

From The Daily Beast

Needless to say, a certain famously hot-tempered five-term senator and former presidential candidate was not at all amused.

From The Daily Beast

Those were the valuable aspects of womanhood at the time: being pretty and even-tempered and sweet.

From The Daily Beast

However, Tyrion is portrayed as even-tempered and intelligent, an underrated force of his own.

From The Daily Beast

There was a band playing down at Klein's hotel, and the strains reached them faintly, tempered by the distance.

From Project Gutenberg

Hexam watched her with an amused indulgence that in no wise tempered his mounting admiration.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wonder you keep such an ugly tempered brute about the house," retorted the woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Reaching into one of the secret pockets of his wide black belt he removed a curiously shaped tool of finest tempered steel.

From Project Gutenberg

From those odd eyes of his, his countenance gathered an air of superciliousness tempered by a gentle melancholy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• balmy
• benign
• bland
• breezy
• calm
• cool
• delicate
• mellow
• moderate
• peaceful
• smooth
• soft
• sunny
• tepid
• warm
• weak