Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-TEM'PER-ATE, a. [L. intemperatus; in and temperatus, from tempero, to moderate or restrain.]

1. Not moderate or restrained within due limits; indulging to excess any appetite or passion, either habitually or in a particular instance; immoderate in enjoyment or exertion. A man may be intemperate in passion, intemperate in labor, intemperate in study or zeal. Hence by customary application, intemperate denotes indulging to excess in the use of food or drink, but particularly in the use of spirituous liquors. Hence,
2. Addicted to an excessive or habitual use of spirituous liquors.
3. Passionate; ungovernable. Shak.
4. Excessive; exceeding the convenient mean or degree; as, an intemperate climate. The weather may be rendered intemperate by violent winds, rain or snow, or by excessive cold or heat.