temper

Definitions

temper (mix properly, balance) is the bare root standing alone. Originally it named the *balanced mixture* of qualities inside a person — your inner blend. That became 'disposition,' and everyday English narrowed it to anger ('lose your temper' = lose your balance). Metalworking kept the literal sense of controlled adjustment: tempering steel reheats and cools it to the right hardness. The verb 'to temper' = to bring back into balance, i.e. to soften or moderate.

Why It Means This

Why does one word mean both 'anger' and 'harden metal'? Both come from the idea of a controlled, balanced mixture. A person's 'temper' was the right blend of inner qualities; when that blend tips over, you 'lose your temper.' Steel's 'temper' is the right blend of hardness and flexibility, reached by careful heating. The verb runs the other way — 'to temper' something is to restore balance by softening it.

Common Collocations

• 1.lose one's temper发脾气，动怒
• 2.keep one's temper忍住不发火
• 3.bad temper坏脾气
• 4.quick temper急性子
• 5.fly into a temper勃然大怒

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He has a terrible temper and shouts at the smallest mistake.

• 2.

  She lost her temper when the meeting was cancelled again.

• 3.

  Try to keep your temper, even when they provoke you.

• 4.

  The blacksmith tempered the blade until it was both hard and flexible.

• 5.

  Good leaders temper honesty with kindness.

Easily Confused

temper vs mood — A mood is a temporary emotional state (in a good mood, in a bad mood) that comes and goes. A temper, when it means a tendency, is a lasting trait (he has a short temper); when it means anger, it's a flare-up (lose your temper). You can be in a bad mood without having a bad temper.