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temper

verb [T] (REDUCE)
 
 
/ˈtem.pər/ US  /-pɚ/ formal

Definition

to make something less strong, extreme, etc.: My enthusiasm for the venture was somewhat tempered by my knowledge of the work that would be involved. I learned to temper my criticism.Becoming and making less strongBecoming and making smaller or lessBecoming and making less strong
(Definition of temper verb (REDUCE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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