Distemper (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distempered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Distempering.] [OF. destemprer, destremper, to distemper, F. détremper 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. Destemprer.] 1. To temper or mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to change the due proportions of. [Obs.]
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When . . . the humors in his body ben distempered. Chaucer.
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2. To derange the functions of, whether bodily, mental, or spiritual; to disorder; to disease. Shak.
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The imagination, when completely distempered, is the most incurable of all disordered faculties. Buckminster.
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3. To deprive of temper or moderation; to disturb; to ruffle; to make disaffected, ill-humored, or malignant. “Distempered spirits.” Coleridge.
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4. To intoxicate. [R.]
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The courtiers reeling,
And the duke himself, I dare not say distempered,
But kind, and in his tottering chair carousing. Massinger.
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5. (Paint.) To mix (colors) in the way of distemper; as, to distemper colors with size. [R.]
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