WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : At*tem"per
Part of Speech : v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempered; p. pr. & vb. n. Attempering.]
Etymology : [OF. atemprer, fr. L. attemperare; ad + temperare to soften, temper. See Temper, and cf. Attemperate.]
Definition : 1. To reduce, modify, or moderate, by mixture; to temper; to regulate, as temperature. If sweet with bitter . . . were not attempered still. Trench.

2. To soften, mollify, or moderate; to soothe; to temper; as, to attemper rigid justice with clemency.

3. To mix in just proportion; to regulate; as, a mind well attempered with kindness and justice.

4. To accommodate; to make suitable; to adapt. Arts . . . attempered to the lyre. Pope.

Note: This word is now not much used, the verb temper taking its place.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913