temperance
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)
- the trait of avoiding excessesSynonyms: moderationType of restraint, natural virtueKinds abstemiousness, sobriety
- abstaining from excessSynonyms: sobrietyType of abstinence
- the act of temperingType of combination, combining
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. temperantia: cf. F. tempérance. See Temper, transitive verb
1. 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.
2. Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness. rare “A gentleman of all temperance.” William Shakespeare
He calmed his wrath with goodly temperance.— Edmund Spenser
3. State with regard to heat or cold; temperature. obsolete “Tender and delicate temperance.” William Shakespeare
Temperance society, an association formed for the purpose of diminishing or stopping the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54