Tĕm'per-ance, n.

n. [Fr. tempérance, Pr. tempranza, Sp. temperancia, templanza, Pg. temperança, It. temperanza, tempranza, Lat. temperantia. See TEMPER.] 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. To put on the profound humility and the exact temperance of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to keep them on in the sunshine and noon of prosperity, is as necessary and as difficult, at least, as to be clothed with perfect patience and true Christian fortitude in the cold, midnight storms of persecution and adversity. Herbert. 2. Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness. [Rare.] He calmed his wrath with goodly temperance. Spenser. 3. State with regard to heat and cold; temperature. [Obs.]