distemper

Meanings

1. A viral disease of animals, such as dogs and cats, characterised by fever, coughing and catarrh.
2. A disorder of the humours of the body; a disease.
3. A glue-based paint.
4. A painting produced with this kind of paint.

1. To temper or mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to change the due proportions of.
2. To derange the functions of, whether bodily, mental, or spiritual; to disorder; to disease.
3. To deprive of temper or moderation; to disturb; to ruffle; to make disaffected, ill-humoured, or malignant.
4. To intoxicate.
5. To paint using distemper.
6. To mix (colours) in the way of distemper.

Etymology

From Old French destemprer, from Latin distemperare.