Etymology Map
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Temper

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person's state of mind; a tendency to anger

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

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

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.