Sekirov Dictionary

distemper

/dɪsˈtɛmpə(ɹ)/

verb 6
noun 4
forms 6

verb6

•
To paint using distemper.
- We cleaned out the cellars, fixed the shelves, distempered the walls, polished the woodwork, whitewashed the ceiling, stained the floor — 1933
•
To mix (colours) in the way of distemper.
- to distemper colors with size
•
To derange the functions of, whether bodily, mental, or spiritual; to disorder; to disease.
- Guildenstern. The King, sir— Hamlet. Ay, sir, what of him? Guildenstern. Is in his retirement, marvellous distemper’d. Hamlet. With drink, sir? Guildenstern. No, my lord; rather with choler. — 1599
•
To deprive of temper or moderation; to disturb; to ruffle; to make disaffected, ill-humoured, or malignant.
- I have been long accustomed to defend you, To heal and pacify distempered spirits. — 1799
To temper or mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to change the due proportions of.
•
To intoxicate.
- For the Courtiers reeling, And the Duke himselfe, (I dare not say distemperd, But kind, and in his tottering chaire carousing) They doe the countrie service. — 1623

noun4

A viral disease of animals, such as dogs and cats, characterised by fever, coughing and catarrh.
A glue-based paint.
A painting produced with this kind of paint.
•
(no longer used) A disorder of the humours of the body; a disease.
- […] and is the onlie last remedie for all debilities which haue long vexed the body through a hote distemper of the Lever, such as a hote Gutte; it allayeth all Inflamations inward & outward. — 1618

forms

distempered · distemperedst · distempering · distempereth · distempers · distemperest

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