tempera

Where does the word "tempera" come from? It comes from Latin temperare, passing through Italian before entering English (1849).

Tempera’s story begins in Latin: temperare meant “to mix in proper proportion.” The root of 'temper', 'temperature' and 'temperate'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as tempera. Settled in Italian for paint made by mixing pigment with egg or another binder. It reached English by 1849 as tempera. Medieval icons and Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' were painted in egg tempera. Today, tempera means a painting medium made by mixing pigment with a water-soluble binder, often egg.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient temperare "to mix in proper proportion", the root of 'temper', 'temperature' and 'temperate'.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s tempera "paint made with an egg or glue binder", settled in Italian for paint made by mixing pigment with egg or another binder.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1849 tempera "paint made from pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder", medieval icons and Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' were painted in egg tempera.