1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Temper.

2. (n.) The process of giving the requisite degree of hardness or softness to a substance, as iron and steel; especially, the process of giving to steel the degree of hardness required for various purposes, consisting usually in first plunging the article, when heated to redness, in cold water or other liquid, to give an excess of hardness, and then reheating it gradually until the hardness is reduced or drawn down to the degree required, as indicated by the color produced on a polished portion, or by the burning of oil.

abatement abating ability aging allaying allayment alleviating alleviation arteriosclerosis assuagement assuaging atherosclerosis background blaseness blunting calcification callusing calming capability case hardening chastening chisel temper competence competency concretion condition cornification crystallization cushioning dampening damping dash deadening demulsion development die temper diminishing diminution dulcification dulling easing experience falling-off firming fitness fittedness fortification fossilization granulation hardening hardness scale heat treating hint hornification hushing indenter induration infusion inkling intimation invigoration lapidification leniency lessening letdown letup lightening lithification loosening lulling mastery maturation maturescence maturity mellowing mitigating mitigation modulation mollification ossification pacification palliation past experience petrifaction petrification practical knowledge practice precipitation hardening preparedness proficiency qualification quietening quieting razor temper readiness reducing reduction refreshment reinforcement reinvigoration relaxation relaxing remission restrengthening revivification ripeness ripening sagacity sauce saw file temper sclerosis seasoning senescence set temper setting shade slackening smack softening solidification soothing sophistication soupcon spice spindle temper sprinkling steeling stiffening strengthening subduement subduing suggestion suitability suitableness suitedness suspicion taint temper thought tinct tincture tinge tint tool temper touch toughening trace tranquilization trim vestige vitrifaction vitrification worldly wisdom