† diˈstemperance Obs.
[a. OF. destemprance, -trempance intemperance (13th c. in Godef.) = med.L. distemperāntia (Du Cange), f. dis-, dis- 4 + L. temperāntia temperance.]
1. gen. Improper proportioning or mingling (of elements).
| 1340 Ayenb. 153 Ase to þe bodye of man comeþ alle eueles uor þe destempringe of þise uour qualities oþer of þise uour humours: alzuo of þe herte of þe manne comeþ alle þe uices and alle þe zennes be þe distemperance of þise þeawes. |
2. Of the air, climate, weather: Intemperateness, inclemency; = distemperature 1.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iii. pr. xi. 97–8 Þat þe vttereste bark [of trees] is put ayenis the destempraunce of þe heuene, as a defendowr. c 1430 Life St. Kath. (1884) 60 Tempest and alle distemperance of weder. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vii. 336 And this yere fell great dystemperaunce of wethyr. 1558 Abp. Parker Corr. (1852) 52, I would wish ye were not much stirring abroad in the distemperance of the air. 1579 Fenton Guicciard. ix. (1599) 382 It was hard for him to remaine there, both for the want of victuals, and distemperance of the time, winter approching. |
3. Disturbance of ‘humour’, temper, or mind; = distemper n.1 3.
| 1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. 161 For any distemperaunce that may greeue you, or maye happen to anger you. 1602 Daniel Musophilus cii, If..this nice wit, or that distemperance, Neglect, distaste, uncomprehend, disdain. |
4. Distempered condition (of the ‘humours’, etc.); bodily or mental disorder, ailment.
| 1529 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. Wks. 1196/2 The dystemperance of either other, engendreth some tyme the distemperance of both twayne [soul and body]. 1573 Abp. Parker in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 268 My oft distemperance and infirmitie of bodye. 1576 Newton Lemnie's Complex. (1633) 128 When moisture is all wasted, a man falleth into a cold and dry distemperance, and finally thereby brought to his death. 1620 Venner Via Recta vii. 114 Stomacks..subiect to vomiting through the distemperance of choler. |
5. Lack or absence of moderation; excess, intemperateness; spec. excess in drinking or other indulgence, intemperance.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. pr. ii. 116 Certis so doþ distemperaunce to feble men, þat ne mowen nat wrastle aȝeins þe vices. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xxviii. (1495) 139 The hondes ben drye by distemperaunce of heete and excesse that wastyth the moysture. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems xlv. 18 To lufe in sic distemperance. 1547 Boorde Brev. Health ii. 26 All is thorowe distemperaunce of the bodye vsed the day before. 1576 Newton Lemnie's Complex. (1633) 178 Superfluity and distemperance of drinke. 1589 Cogan Haven Health cii. (1636) 100 The stomack is weake by distemperance of heat. |