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n. 1. a. The degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment. b. A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter, expressed in terms of units or degrees designated on a standard scale. 2. a. The degree of heat in the body of a living organism, usually about 37.0°C (98.6°F) in humans. b. An abnormally high condition of body heat caused by illness; a fever. [Middle English, temperate weather, Latin temperātūra, due measure, from temperātus, past participle of temperāre, to mix; see TEMPER.] |
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