temperare

Temperare is a verb of Latin origin meaning to bring into proper proportion, to regulate, or to moderate; it can also mean to prepare by heating or mixing to achieve a desired consistency. In classical Latin texts it is used for mixing ingredients in due proportion, restraining passions, or adjusting actions to a standard. The sense of moderation extended into ethics and rhetoric (temperare animos—restrain the mind) and to balancing opposites.

The verb gave rise to the English verb temper and its noun temper (mood, disposition) as well as related terms in Romance languages, such as Italian temperare, French temperer, and Portuguese temperar, all with core senses of adjusting, moderating, or processing by heat or mixing.

In specialized usage, tempering refers to a technical process. In metallurgy, tempering is a heat treatment that increases a metal’s toughness by heating to a specific temperature and then cooling, often following hardening. The process produces a balance of hardness and ductility. In glassmaking, tempered glass is produced by controlled cooling to improve strength and reduce internal stress. In cooking, tempering can describe gradually raising the temperature of an ingredient or stabilizing chocolate by controlled heating and cooling.

In English, temper can function as a verb or noun: to temper means to moderate or to alter the strength or intensity, and temper is also used for the disposition or mood of a person.