attemperator
|at-tem-per-a-tor|
🇺🇸
/əˈtɛmpəreɪtər/
🇬🇧
/əˈtɛmpəreɪtə/
one who or that which tempers/moderates
Etymology
'attemperator' originates from Late Latin/Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'attemperare' (formed from Latin 'ad-' + 'temperare'), where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'temperare' meant 'to mix, regulate or temper'.
'attemperator' developed from Latin 'temperare' → Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'adtemperare'/'attemperare' (meaning 'to temper or regulate') and was later borrowed into English as 'attemperator' to denote one who tempers or a device that moderates (e.g., temperature).
Initially, it meant 'one who tempers or moderates' in a general sense; over time it gained a specialized technical meaning as 'a device for reducing the temperature of steam' in engineering contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a device (also called a desuperheater) used in steam systems to lower the temperature of superheated steam by injecting or spraying water.
The attemperator reduced steam temperature before it entered the turbine.
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Noun 2
a person or thing that tempers, moderates, or makes something less severe or extreme.
As an attemperator in the meeting, she helped calm the heated discussion.
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Last updated: 2025/11/15 04:38