The Collaborative International Dictionary
Temperance \Tem"per*ance\, n. [L. temperantia: cf. F. temp['e]rance. See Temper, v. t.]
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.
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Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness. [R.] ``A gentleman of all temperance.''
--Shak.He calmed his wrath with goodly temperance.
--Spenser. -
State with regard to heat or cold; temperature. [Obs.] ``Tender and delicate temperance.''
--Shak.Temperance society, an association formed for the purpose of diminishing or stopping the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage.
Usage examples of "temperance society".
Yet Dives himself, he too lives like a Czar in an ice palace made of frozen sighs, and being a president of a temperance society, he only drinks the tepid tears of orphans.
Mudge, with whom we have already had considerable to do, was not a member of the temperance society.
Lincoln listened to the discussion for half an hour or more and finally ended it by telling the story of a common drunkard out in Illinois who had been induced by his friends time and again to join the temperance society, but had always broken away.