distemperature Now rare and arch.
(dɪsˈtɛmpərətjʊə(r))
[f. med.L. type *distemperātūra (= OF. destempreure): cf. distemperate and temperature.]
Distemperate or distempered condition.
1. A condition of the air or elements not properly tempered for human health and comfort; evil, deranged, or extreme ‘temperature’ (in the earlier sense of this word, including all atmospheric states); inclemency, unwholesomeness.
| 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. xxvi, The temperature or distemperature of the regions. 1584 Peele Arraignm. Paris v, Woods Where neither storm nor suns distemperature Have power to hurt by cruel heat or cold. 1638 Rawley tr. Bacon's Life & Death (1650) 11 Surely their cloathing is excellent good against the distemperatures of the weather. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 43 This distemperature by storms of Wind and Rain turns Summer into Winter. 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. ii. ix. 214 The same distemperature of the Air that occasioned the Plague, occasioned also the infertility or noxiousness of the Soil. 1860 Trench Serm. Westm. Abb. v. 49 Henceforth..exposed to the sharp and wintry blasts and all those distemperatures of the air. |
2. Disordered or distempered condition of the ‘humours’, or of the body; disorder, ailment.
| 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe i. ii. (1541) 3 To knowe the distemperature these sygnes folowyng wold be consydered. 1582 J. Hester Secr. Phiorav. i. i. 1 Sicknesse or infirmitie is no other thyng then a distemperature of humours in the bodies of Creatures. 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. v. i. 82 At her heeles a huge infectious troope Of pale distemperatures. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. v. iii, This adventitious melancholy..is caused by a hot and dry distemperature. 1685 J. Scott Chr. Life (1699) V. 458 A distemperature of the brain, and blood and spirits. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., Suckers are another Distemperature of trees arising from the tree itself. 1863 Ld. Lytton Ring Amasis II. 14 The effects of watching and the distemperature of an over-laboured brain. |
3. Disturbance of mind or temper.
| 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. To Rdr. 9, I wote not what distemperature had kindled up a sorte of leawd loyterers ageinst mee. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. iii. 40 Thou art vprous'd with some distemprature. 1633 Marmion Fine Companion iv. vi, Spr. I hear she is run mad. Aur. Is, and the cause of her distemperature Is the reproach you put upon her honour. 1741 Warburton Div. Legat. II. 548 What I uttered through the distemperature of my passion. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxxvii, Durward..found the latter in a state of choleric distemperature. 1850 Browning Easter Day xxxiii. 8 A mere dream and distemperature. |
4. transf. and fig. Derangement, disturbance, disorder (of society, the state, etc.). arch. or Obs.
| 1593 Drayton Eclog. viii. 103 Since the Worlds distemp'rature is such. 1613–18 Daniel Coll. Hist. Eng. (1626) 154 The distemprature of the time was such, as no sword could cure it. 1615 J. Stephens Satyr. Ess. 147 A curious clocke; which by the distemperature of one wheele, growes distempered in every one. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. v. iii. (1737) III. 321 In the present Distemperatures..Partys are no good Registers of the Actions of the adverse Side. |
5. Immoderateness, excess (esp. of heat or cold; cf. 1); excess in drinking or other indulgence, intemperateness, intemperance.
| 1572 J. Jones Bathes Buckstone 3 b, Nothing..better..Taketh away distemperature of heate..then a dulce or pleasunt Bathe. 1605 Bloudy Bk. C, It shamed him not (after his distemperatures abroade) to bring queanes home with him. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 195 Princes..following ill counsell and youthfull distemperature. 1875 Lowell Old Elm Poet. Wks. 1890 IV. 82 The track it left seems less of fire than light, Cold but to such as love distemperature. |