Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
[ad_1] noun
- excessive or immoderate indulgence in alcoholic beverages.
- excessive indulgence of appetite or passion.
- lack of moderation or due restraint, as in action or speech.
- an act or instance of any of these: a long series of intemperances.
early 15c., from Middle French intemperance (14c.), from Latin intemperantia “intemperateness, immoderation, excess,” from in- “not, opposite of” (see in- (1)) + temperantia (see temperance). Originally of climate; meaning “lack of moderation” in English is from 1540s.