Obs. Also 4–5 temprure, temperour(e. [a. OF. temprëure (12th c. in Godef.):—L. temperātūra: see TEMPERATURE.]
1. Tempering; concr. tempering liquid, etc.
1388. Wyclif, Ezek. xiii. 14. Y schal distrie the wal, which ȝe pargetiden without temperure [1382 temperynge; Vulg. absque temperamento].
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4177. The temprure of the mortere Was maad of licour wonder dere.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 23524. Of their morter the temprure, Founded vppoun charyte, of concord and fraternyte.
2. Adjustment of pitch, tuning; tunefulness.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 39. Arion, which hadde an harpe of such temprure, And therto of so good mesure [etc.]. Ibid., III. 303. Or hire Harpe the temprure He tawhte hire ek.
3. Condition of the weather or climate; esp. temperate or good condition; = TEMPERATURE 6.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 179. Good corn contray, where þere is good temperure of heuene and of wedir [coeli temperies]. Ibid., II. 291. Þe temperure þat comeþ of hiȝnesse and lownesse of sterres and planetes, comeþ aȝen to temperure at þe fiftiþe ȝere.
a. 1485. Fortescue, Wks. (1869), 477. Temperour of the ayre, clerenes of the sea.
4. = TEMPER sb. 5 (of steel, etc.), TEMPERATURE 8.
c. 1407. Lydg., Reson & Sens., 1191. A bryght helme … of swych temprure, That pollex swerde ne noon armure May do therto no violence.
c. 1440. Partonope, 1943. Hawbrek … of goode mesure Mighty and strong and of good temperure.
5. Temperance, self-control, moderation.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 256. Þe þridde vertue … is temperoure in oure dede.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 142. Glotonye is, whan þou bast a talent, wyth-outyn temperure & mesure, to mete or drynke.
