What does it mean to "temper" something?

To "temper" something means to reduce or moderate it. This term is often used in various contexts, such as in discussions about emotions, reactions, or even physical materials. When someone tempers their emotions, they are softening or regulating their response to a situation, rather than allowing their feelings to become overwhelming. In the context of materials, tempering refers to the process of adjusting hardness or brittleness, typically in metals, to make them more resilient. The essence of tempering is about achieving balance and control, making it distinct from intensifying something, which would suggest increasing its degree or strength.