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Webster 1913 Edition


Temperance

Tem′per-ance

,
Noun.
[L.
temperantia
: cf. F.
tempérance
. See
Temper
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; moderation;
as,
temperance
in eating and drinking;
temperance
in the indulgence of joy or mirth
; specifically, moderation, and sometimes abstinence, in respect to using intoxicating liquors.
2.
Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness.
[R.]
“A gentleman of all temperance.”
Shak.
He calmed his wrath with goodly
temperance
.
Spenser.
3.
State with regard to heat or cold; temperature.
[Obs.]
“Tender and delicate temperance.”
Shak.
Temperance society
,
an association formed for the purpose of diminishing or stopping the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage.

Webster 1828 Edition


Temperance

TEM'PERANCE

,
Noun.
[L. temperantia, from tempero.]
1.
Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.
2.
Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion.
He calm'd his wrath with goodly temperance. [Unusual.]

Definition 2024


Temperance

Temperance

See also: temperance and tempérance

English

Proper noun

Temperance

  1. A female given name.
  2. (tarot) The fourteenth trump or major arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks.

temperance

temperance

See also: Temperance and tempérance

English

Alternative forms

Noun

temperance (plural temperances)

  1. Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence
    temperance in eating and drinking
    temperance in the indulgence of joy
  2. moderation, and sometimes abstinence, in respect to using intoxicating liquors.
    • 1877, Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet
      On these occasions I have noticed such a dreamy, vacant expression in his eyes, that I might have suspected him of being addicted to the use of some narcotic, had not the temperance and cleanliness of his whole life forbidden such a notion.
  3. Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness.
  4. (obsolete) State with regard to heat or cold; temperature.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

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