distemper

Meanings

Noun

  • A viral disease of animals, such as dogs and cats, characterised by fever, coughing and catarrh.
  • A disorder of the humours of the body; a disease.
  • A glue-based paint.
  • A painting produced with this kind of paint.

Verb

  • To temper or mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to change the due proportions of.
  • To derange the functions of, whether bodily, mental, or spiritual; to disorder; to disease.
  • To deprive of temper or moderation; to disturb; to ruffle; to make disaffected, ill-humoured, or malignant.
  • To intoxicate.
  • To paint using distemper.
  • To mix (colours) in the way of distemper.

Origin

  • From Old French destemprer, from Latin distemperare.

Modern English dictionary

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