tempérament

temperament

noun tahm-peh-rah-MAHN Rare

Also means

disposition

Usage Note

Tempérament describes an innate character or natural inclination, as in avoir du tempérament ('to have a strong character' or passion). It also appears in music for tuning systems, as in tempérament égal ('equal temperament'). The word is a false friend for English speakers — it rarely means 'temper' in the sense of anger.

Examples

"Elle a un tempérament très passionné."

Natural Translation

She has a very passionate temperament.

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