n.
- a person's nature with regard to the effect it has on their behaviour.
- the adjustment of intervals in tuning a piano or other musical instrument so as to fit the scale for use in different keys.
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(equal temperament)
an adjustment in which the twelve semitones are equal intervals.
Etymology
ME (in sense ‘blending of elements in due proportions’, later ‘temperature’): from L. temperamentum ‘correct mixture’, from temperare ‘mingle’; cf. temper.
