TEMERITY Te*mer"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. temeritas, from temere by chance, rashly; perhaps akin to Skr. tamas darkness: cf. F. témérité.]
Defn: Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness; as, the temerity of a commander in war.
Syn. — Rashness; precipitancy; heedlessness; venturesomeness. — Temerity, Rashness. These words are closely allied in sense, but have a slight difference in their use and application. Temerity is Latin, and rashness is Anglo-Saxon. As in many such cases, the Latin term is more select and dignified; the Anglo-Saxon more familiar and energetic. We show temerity in hasty decisions, and the conduct to which they lead. We show rashness in particular actions, as dictated by sudden impulse. It is an exhibition of temerity to approach the verge of a precipice; it is an act of rashness to jump into a river without being able to swim. Temerity, then, is an unreasonable contempt of danger; rashness is a rushing into danger from thoughtlessness or excited feeling. It is notorious temerity to pass sentence upon grounds uncapable of evidence. Barrow. Her rush hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat. Milton.
TEMEROUS
Tem"er*ous, a.
Defn: Temerarious. [Obs.]
TEMPEAN
Tem*pe"an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Temple, a valley in Thessaly, celebrated by Greek poets on account of its beautiful scenery; resembling Temple; hence, beautiful; delightful; charming.
TEMPER
Tem"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tempered; p. pr. & vb. n. Tempering.]
Etym: [AS. temprian or OF. temper, F. tempérer, and (in sense 3)
temper, L. temperare, akin to tempus time. Cf. Temporal, Distemper,
Tamper.]
1. To mingle in due proportion; to prepare by combining; to modify, as by adding some new element; to qualify, as by an ingredient; hence, to soften; to mollify; to assuage; to soothe; to calm. Puritan austerity was so tempered by Dutch indifference, that mercy itself could not have dictated a milder system. Bancroft. Woman! lovely woman! nature made thee To temper man: we had been brutes without you. Otway. But thy fire Shall be more tempered, and thy hope far higher. Byron. She [the Goddess of Justice] threw darkness and clouds about her, that tempered the light into a thousand beautiful shades and colors. Addison.
2. To fit together; to adjust; to accomodate. Thy sustenance . . . serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking. Wisdom xvi. 21.