Meaning and Origin
What does the name Temperance mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Temperance
User Submitted Origins
English
50%
American
30%
Welsh
10%
Hawaiian
10%
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Tem"per*ance
Senses
- 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.
- Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness.(R)"A gentleman of all temperance." [Shak.]"He calmed his wrath with goodly temperance." [Spenser.]
- State with regard to heat or cold; temperature.(Obs)"Tender and delicate temperance." [Shak.]
Etymology: L. temperantia: cf. F. tempérance. See Temper (v. t.)
Other Dictionary Sources
- The act of tempering
- Abstaining from excess
- The trait of avoiding excesses
Wiktionary
From Anglo-Norman temperance, from Latin temperantia (“moderation, sobriety, discretion, self-control”), from temperans, present participle of temperare (“to moderate”). See temper.
- Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence
- in eating and drinking
- in the indulgence of joy
- moderation, and sometimes abstinence, in respect to using intoxicating liquors.
- Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness.
- (obsolete) State with regard to heat or cold; temperature.