Dictionary Meaning and Definition on 'Distemper' Distemper
Meaning and Definition from WordNet (r) 2.0 - any of various
infectious viral diseases of animals - an angry and disagreeable
mood [syn: ill humor, ill humour] [ant: good humor] - paint made
by mixing the pigments with water and a binder - a painting
created by distemper - a method of painting in which the
pigments are mixed with water and a binder; used for painting
posters or murals or stage scenery v : paint with distemper -
Distemper \Dis*tem"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distempered; p. pr.
& vb. n. Distempering.] [OF. destemprer, destremper, to
distemper, F. d['e]tremper to soak, soften, slake (lime); pref.
des- (L. dis-) + OF. temprer, tremper, F. tremper, L. temperare
to mingle in due proportion. See Temper, and cf. - To temper or
mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to change the due
proportions of. [Obs.] When . . . the humors in his body ben
distempered. --Chaucer. - To derange the functions of, whether
bodily, mental, or spiritual; to disorde