Definition

1. Verb:
   • To modify the temperature of something; to temper: To make something less extreme in temperature, often by mixing or adjusting.
   • To moderate or soften; to mitigate: To make something less severe, harsh, or intense.

Usage

• The verb attemper is used to describe the action of adjusting temperature or intensity. It is a formal and somewhat rare word, most often found in technical, literary, or historical contexts.
• It can be used with a direct object (e.g., attemper something) or in a construction like "attemper something to something else."

Examples

• Verb:
  • The ancient system was designed to attemper the air in the library.
  • He tried to attemper his criticism with a few words of praise.
  • The chef attempered the spicy sauce with a touch of cream.

Advanced Usage

• "to attemper to": To adapt or adjust something to make it suitable or compatible with something else.
  • The new policies were carefully attempered to the needs of the local community.

Variants and Related Words

• Temper (verb): To moderate or soften; to bring to a desired consistency or hardness (especially for metal or clay). This is a more common synonym.
  • Temper your expectations.
  • The steel must be tempered for strength.

Synonyms

• Moderate: To make less extreme or intense.
• Mitigate: To make less severe, serious, or painful.
• Alleviate: To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe.
• Soften: To make or become less severe or harsh.

Antonyms

• Intensify: To become or make more intense.
• Aggravate: To make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious.
• Exacerbate: To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.

Related Phrases/Idioms

(This word is not commonly used in modern idioms or phrasal verbs.)

Verb

1. modify the temperature of
   • attemper the air