temperament

/ˈtem-p(ə-)rə-mənt/

Middle English, "regulation of the body's vital spirit, proportion of humors in the body," borrowed from Latin temperāmentum "mixture of substances in proper proportion, mean between hot and cold, compromise between extremes, moderation" (Medieval Latin, "proper balance of bodily humors"), from temperāre "to moderate, bring to a proper strength or consistency by mixing, maintain in a state of balance" + -mentum -ment

noun

  1. characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response

  2. extremely high sensibility; especially : excessive sensitiveness or irritability

  3. the peculiar or distinguishing mental or physical character determined by the relative proportions of the humors according to medieval physiology

a nervous temperament

disposition temperament temper character personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group. disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one. temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.