temperance

See also: Temperance and tempérance

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman temperance, from Latin temperantia (“moderation, sobriety, discretion, self-control”), from temperans, present participle of temperare (“to moderate”). See temper.

Pronunciation
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Noun

temperance (countable and uncountable, 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
    Synonyms: patience, calmness, sedateness
  4. (obsolete) State with regard to heat or cold; temperature. Shakespeare, in The Tempest 2.1.41 : (of the climate of the island) "It must needs be of subtle, tender, and delicate temperance"

Antonyms

Coordinate terms

Derived terms
terms derived from the noun temperance
  • American Temperance Society (ATS)
  • Loyal Temperance Legion (LTL)
  • temperance association
  • temperance bar
  • temperance chartism
  • temperance chartist
  • Temperance Colonization Society
  • temperance colony
  • temperance education
  • temperance group
  • temperance hotel
  • temperance journal
  • temperance lobby
  • temperance magazine
  • temperance meeting
  • temperance movement
  • temperance movement zealot
  • temperance norm
  • temperance organisation, temperance organization
  • temperance paper
  • temperance pledge
  • temperance reading room
  • temperance society
  • temperance writer
  • Toronto Temperance Society (TTS)
  • Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
  • Youth Temperance Council (YTC)

Translations
state with regard to heat or cold — see temperature
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See also
assocciated terms
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