contemper
verb/kənˈtɛmpə(ɹ)/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin contemperō, from con- + temperō (“to temper”). Compare contemperate.
1
Obsolete To modify or temper; to allay; to qualify; to moderate or soften.
- Though earth hath engroſſed the name yet water hath proved the ſmarteſt grave; which in forty dayes ſwallowed almoſt mankinde, and the living creation ; Fiſhes not wholly eſcaping, except the Salt Ocean were handſomely contempered by a mixture of the freſh Element.1658, Thomas Browne, “Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall. […]. Chapter I”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 1:
- The antidotes […] have at leaſt allayed its bitterneſs, and contempered its malignity.1751 September 3 (Gregorian calendar), Samuel Johnson, “No. 150. Friday, August 24. 1751.”, in The Rambler, volume VI, Edinburgh: […] Sands, Murray, and Cochran; sold by W. Gordon, C. Wright, J. Yair, […], published 1751, →OCLC, page 140:
- Related terms
- contemperation, contemperature, temper