temperament — a person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtempərəmənt/
Example Sentences
- My cat has such a dramatic temperament - one minute purring, the next hissing at shadows.
- His nervous temperament makes him unsuitable for high-pressure jobs.
- The teacher's patient temperament helped even the most difficult students learn.
temperament
NOUN[/ˈtempərəmənt/]
a person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior
Each dog's natural personality showing
A gentle temperament can complement any monument.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin temperamentum, which evolved from temperare meaning 'to mix in proper proportion' or 'to regulate'. In ancient medical theory, temperament referred to the balance of the body's four humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), which were believed to determine human character and disposition.
Breakdown
temperare (to mix, to regulate) + -mentum (noun suffix denoting result or state of action). The suffix -mentum, later simplified to -ment in English, transforms the verb into a noun representing the quality or condition of being tempered or balanced.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat has such a dramatic temperament - one minute purring, the next hissing at shadows.”
“His nervous temperament makes him unsuitable for high-pressure jobs.”
“The teacher's patient temperament helped even the most difficult students learn.”
“She inherited her grandmother's cheerful temperament and infectious laugh.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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