distemper
/dɪsˈtɛmpər/
noun
- A serious viral disease that affects animals, especially dogs, causing fever, coughing, and sometimes death.
- Distemper can spread quickly among unvaccinated dogs in a shelter.
- Wild raccoons are also known to carry distemper and can infect pets.
- The puppy was vaccinated against distemper at the vet clinic.
- A type of paint used for walls, made with water and a binding agent like glue or egg, often used in theater scenery or old houses.
- The old house had walls painted with distemper, which gave a matte finish.
- She learned to mix distemper from powdered pigments and water for her art project.
- Theater crews often use distemper for backdrops because it dries quickly.
- A state of mental or emotional disturbance; bad temper or disorder.
- She tried to calm her distemper by taking a long walk in the park.
- His distemper was obvious when he slammed the door after the argument.
- The king's distemper led to harsh decisions that upset the court.
verb
- To paint with distemper (water-based paint).
- The artist distempered the scenery panels for the school play.
- We need to distemper the ceiling before the new furniture arrives.
- They decided to distemper the kitchen walls a soft cream color.
- To upset or disturb the normal state or temper of someone or something.
- The constant noise from the construction site distempered the residents.
- The illness distempered her usually calm disposition.
- His harsh words distempered the peaceful mood of the meeting.
Synonyms