- distemper
- distemperdistemper1 [dis tem′pər]vt.[ME distemperen < OFr destemprer or ML distemperare, to disorder (esp. the “tempers,” or four humors) < L dis-, apart + temperare, to mix in proportion: see TEMPER]1. Obs. to make bad-tempered; disturb; ruffle2. to upset or unbalance the functions of; derange; disordern.1. a mental or physical derangement or disorder; disease2. any of several infectious diseases of animals, characterized by rhinitis, fever, etc.; specif.,a) an infectious viral disease of young dogsb) strangles, a disease of horses3. civil disorder or turmoildistemper2 [dis tem′pər]vt.[OFr destemprer < ML distemperare, to mix, dilute < L dis-, intens. + temperare: see DISTEMPER1]1. to mix (colors or pigments) with water and glue, size, or some other binding medium2. to paint with such a mixturen.1. a method of painting using distempered pigment, as for wall decoration2. a painting done in this way3. distempered paint4. any of various water-based paints, as whitewash, calcimine, etc.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.