Attempering

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To modify or adjust something with careful consideration
2. To temper an element or substance by applying a specific treatment or process
3. To bring about a balance or moderation in qualities, often through gradual alteration

Etymology: "Attempering" is the present participle of "attemper", which English took from Old French "atemprer" (modern "attremper"), itself from the Latin "attemperare". The Latin verb was built from "ad" ("to") and "temperare", meaning to mix in due proportion or to moderate, so at root it means to bring something into proper measure. The same Latin stem gave English "temper", and the two words reached English along separate paths. The Middle English form "attempren" carried the sense of bringing something to a suitable degree or condition, which is why the word still sounds like a gentle adjustment rather than a violent change. "Attemperate" is a doublet of "attemper", meaning the two words descend from the same source but arrived in English at different times and took on slightly different shades.

Synonyms: modulating, tempering, moderating, adjusting, softening

Antonyms: intensifying, exacerbating, aggravating, worsening, heightening