The word "unattempered" is spelled with a prefix "un-" which means "not", followed by "attempered" which pertains to something that has not been moderated or tempered. It is pronounced /ʌnəˈtɛmpədərd/, with the first syllable emphasized and pronounced as "uhn-". This word is commonly used in metallurgy to describe metal that has not been tempered or subjected to a process of heat-treatment to improve its strength or hardness. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is unmodified or untempered.
Unattempered is an adjective that describes something that is lacking restraint, moderation, or control. It denotes a state or condition where someone or something is uninhibited, unchecked, or unregulated in its manner, behavior, or effects. It often implies a quality of excessiveness, impulsiveness, or unpredictability.
When used in reference to a person, unattempered describes an individual who displays unfiltered or unrestrained emotions, opinions, or actions. Such a person may not exercise self-control or consider the consequences of their behavior before acting. They might exhibit impulsive or rash decisions, often driven by overwhelming feelings or desires, without considering the potential negative impact.
Applied to a situation or a thing, unattempered signifies a lack of balance, moderation, or temperance. It suggests that an action, process, or substance is not constrained or moderated in intensity, degree, or quality. This lack of restraint might result in extreme outcomes, excessive influence, or significant consequences that were not adequately mitigated or controlled.
In summary, unattempered describes a state or quality of being unrestricted, untamed, or unmoderated. It connotes a lack of control, balance, or temperance, whether in reference to a person's behavior or the effects of a situation or thing.
The word "unattempered" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" and the verb "temper".
"Un-" is a prefix in English that indicates negation or the opposite of something. In this case, it suggests the absence or lack of tempering.
The verb "temper" comes from the Latin word "temperare", meaning "to mix, combine, regulate, or moderate". It entered the English language during the 14th century. The primary sense of tempering relates to the process of adjusting, balancing, or modifying something—to make it more suitable, moderate, or less extreme.
When "un-" is added to "temper", it reverses the meaning and implies the absence or lack of tempering. Therefore, "unattempered" describes something that has not been adjusted, regulated, or moderated.