n. [ Cf. OF. atemprance. ] Temperance; attemperament. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Distemperature. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. intempérance, L. intemperantia. See In- not, and Temperance. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of becoming, or state of being, intemperate; excess in any kind of action or indulgence; any immoderate indulgence of the appetites or passions. [ 1913 Webster ]

God is in every creature; be cruel toward none, neither abuse any by intemperance. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some, as thou sawest, by violent stroke shall die,
By fire, flood, famine, by intemperance more
In meats and drinks. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically: Habitual or excessive indulgence in alcoholic liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. temperantia: cf. F. tempérance. See Temper, v. t. ] 1. Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; moderation; as, temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth; specifically, moderation, and sometimes abstinence, in respect to using intoxicating liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness. [ R. ] “A gentleman of all temperance.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He calmed his wrath with goodly temperance. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. State with regard to heat or cold; temperature. [ Obs. ] “Tender and delicate temperance.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Temperance society, an association formed for the purpose of diminishing or stopping the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage. [ 1913 Webster ]

. An association of women formed in the United States in 1874, for the advancement of temperance by organizing preventive, educational, evangelistic, social, and legal work. It is also known as the Women's Christian Temperance Union and by its acronym WCTU or W.C.T.U.. It was one of the political forces leading to passage of the constitutional amendment, later repealed, which prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]