\Tem"per*a*ment\, n. [L. temperamentum a mixing in
due proportion, proper measure, temperament: cf. F.
temp['e]rament. See {Temper}, v. t.]
1. Internal constitution; state with respect to the relative
   proportion of different qualities, or constituent parts.
         The common law . . . has reduced the kingdom to its
         just state and temperament.           --Sir M. Hale.
2. Due mixture of qualities; a condition brought about by
   mutual compromises or concessions. [Obs.]
         However, I forejudge not any probable expedient, any
         temperament that can be found in things of this
         nature, so disputable on their side.  --Milton.
3. The act of tempering or modifying; adjustment, as of
   clashing rules, interests, passions, or the like; also,
   the means by which such adjustment is effected.
         Wholesome temperaments of the rashness of popular
         assemblies.                           --Sir J.
                                               Mackintosh.
4. Condition with regard to heat or cold; temperature. [Obs.]
         Bodies are denominated ``hot'' and ``cold'' in
         proportion to the present temperament of that part
         of our body to which they are applied. --Locke.
5. (Mus.) A system of compromises in the tuning of organs,
   pianofortes, and the like, whereby the tones generated
   with the vibrations of a ground tone are mutually modified
   and in part canceled, until their number reduced to the
   actual practicable scale of twelve tones to the octave.
   This scale, although in so far artificial, is yet closely
   suggestive of its origin in nature, and this system of
   tuning, although not mathematically true, yet satisfies
   the ear, while it has the convenience that the same twelve
   fixed tones answer for every key or scale, C[sharp]
   becoming identical with D[flat], and so on.
6. (Physiol.) The peculiar physical and mental character of
   an individual, in olden times erroneously supposed to be
   due to individual variation in the relations and
   proportions of the constituent parts of the body,
   especially of the fluids, as the bile, blood, lymph, etc.
   Hence the phrases, bilious or choleric temperament,
   sanguine temperament, etc., implying a predominance of one
   of these fluids and a corresponding influence on the
   temperament.
{Equal temperament} (Mus.), that in which the variations from
   mathematically true pitch are distributed among all the
   keys alike.
{Unequal temperament} (Mus.), that in which the variations
   are thrown into the keys least used.