'attemperation' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'adtemperatio' (from 'adtemperare'), where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'temperare' meant 'to temper or mix.'

'adtemperare' (Late Latin) passed into Medieval and Early Modern English as the verb 'attemper' (via forms such as Middle English 'attempre(n)') and later produced the noun 'attemperation' in English by adding the nominal suffix '-ation.'

Initially, the root meant 'to bring to proportion or mix/temper,' and over time it evolved into the English noun meaning 'the act or result of moderating, adjusting, or bringing into harmony.'