TEM'PERANCE, n. [L. temperantia, from tempero.] 1. Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.2. Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion. He calm'd his wrath with goodly temperance. [Unusual.]
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