temper

Where does the word "temper" come from? It comes from Latin temperare, passing through Old English before entering English (1200s).

Temper’s story begins in Latin: temperare meant “to mix in proportion.” Possibly from 'tempus', time: the right measure. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old English as temprian. An early borrowing from Latin. It reached English by 1200s as temper. 'temper' as mood came from the balance of the four humours; 'losing one's temper' dates from the 1700s. Today, temper means a person's state of mind; a tendency to anger.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient temperare "to mix in proportion", possibly from 'tempus', time: the right measure.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · medieval temprian "to mix", an early borrowing from Latin.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s temper "to mix, moderate", 'temper' as mood came from the balance of the four humours; 'losing one's temper' dates from the 1700s.