See Also: Distemper(medicine)
distemper(encyclopedia)
distemper(4)(dictionary)
distemper(3)(dictionary)
distemper(2)(dictionary)
distemper(1)(dictionary)
distemper(dictionary)
distemper virus(medicine)
feline distemper(medicine)
cat distemper virus(medicine)

distemper(3) (iou)



distemper verb1 trans. arch. ME.
[Late Latin distemperare soak, mix, affect by disproportionate mixture, formed as DIS- 2, TEMPER verb1.]
Temper incorrectly by mixing elements in the wrong proportions; disturb the due proportion of. Only in ME.
Disturb the temper or feelings of; make ill-humoured or ill at ease; trouble, vex, upset. Now rare or obsolete. LME.
Joseph Hall Vainely distempering himselfe about idle and frivolous questions.
Disorder the health of; make diseased or insane; affect with an illness. LME.
fig.: Listener The ITV companies are as distempered as parrots about the cash they have to shell out for Channel 4.
b. Intoxicate, make drunk. L15-L17.
Disorder or spoil the condition of. Formerly, disturb the weather, air, etc., (usu. in pass.) of. LME.
Milton Sin, that first Distemper'd all things.