Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - temper

 I. transitive verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English temprian & Anglo-French temprer, from Latin ~are to moderate, mix, ~; probably akin to Latin tempor-, tempus time  Date: before 12th century  1. to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else ; moderate ~ justice with mercy  2. archaic  a. to exercise control over ; govern, restrain  b. to cause to be well disposed ; mollify ~ed and reconciled them both — Richard Steele  3. to bring to a suitable state by mixing in or adding a usually liquid ingredient: as  a. to mix (clay) with water or a modifier (as grog) and knead to a uniform texture  b. to mix oil with (colors) in making paint ready for use  4.  a.  (1) to soften (as hardened steel or cast iron) by reheating at a lower ~ature  (2) to harden (as steel) by reheating and cooling in oil  b. to anneal or toughen (glass) by a process of gradually heating and cooling  5. to make stronger and more resilient through hardship ; toughen troops ~ed in battle  6.  a. to put in tune with something ; attune  b. to adjust the pitch of (a note, chord, or instrument) to a ~ament  • ~able adjective  • ~er noun  II. noun  Date: 14th century  1.  a. archaic a suitable proportion or balance of qualities ; a middle state between extremes ; mean, medium virtue is…a just ~ between propensities — T. B. Macaulay  b. archaic character, quality the ~ of the land you design to sow — John Mortimer  c. characteristic tone ; trend the ~ of the times  d. high quality of mind or spirit ; courage  2.  a. the state of a substance with respect to certain desired qualities (as hardness, elasticity, or workability); especially the degree of hardness or resiliency given steel by ~ing  b. the feel and relative solidity of leather  3.  a. a characteristic cast of mind or state of feeling ; disposition  b. calmness of mind ; composure  c. state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time usually dominated by a single strong emotion  d. heat of mind or emotion ; proneness to anger ; passion she has a real ~  4. a substance (as a metal) added to or mixed with something else (as another metal) to modify the properties of the latter  Synonyms: see disposition