Sc. [f. TEMPER sb. + PIN sb.]
1. The wooden screw used in regulating the lightness of the band of a spinning-wheel; fig. temper, disposition.
17[?]. in Ritson, Sc. Songs (1794), I. 175. My spinning-wheel is auld and stiff,… To keep the temper pin in tiff, Employs aft my hand, sir.
a. 1796. Burns, There was a Lass, i. Ay she shook the temper-pin.
1864. Latto, Tam. Bodkin, iii. A hole in her chackit apron claught haud o’ the temper pin, whan doon gaed Bessie an’ the wheel. Ibid., x. Mr. G.’s temper pin was nae wise improved by the … catastrophe.
† 2. A tuning-screw or peg of a violin, etc. Obs.
1786. Burns, Ep. Maj. Logan, iv. Heaven send your heart-strings aye in tune, And screw your temper-pins aboon.
1788. Shirrefs, Poems (1799), 339. Gin the temper-pin ye’ll screw, And gi’es a sang.
