distemperature

distemperature

English

Etymology

dis- +‎ temperature

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪsˈtɛmpəɹətj(ʊ)ə/

Noun

distemperature (countable and uncountable, plural distemperatures)

1. (now rare) A state of adverse or unhealthy atmospheric conditions.
2. (now rare) Unhealthy imbalance of bodily humours; a disorder.
   • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970:

     , New York, 2001, p.224:

     Standing waters, thick and ill-coloured, […] cause foul distemperatures in the body and mind of man […]