1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Temper

TEMPER (from Lat. temperare, to mingle or compound in due proportion, to qualify, rule, regulate, to be moderate, formed from tempus, time, fit or due season), to blend, modify, or qualify by mixing, to combine in due proportions, hence to restrain, calm. A specific application of the word is to the bringing of steel or other metal to a proper hardness and elasticity (see Metal and Iron and Steel). The word is also used as a substantive, especially in the transferred sense of disposition or frame of mind, generally with some qualifying epithet, but when used absolutely signifying a hasty, passionate temper, or display of such.