The word "temperament" refers to a person's natural disposition or personality traits that influence how they react to situations and interact with others. It encompasses emotional characteristics such as mood, behavior, and attitudes, and can also reflect how someone may respond to stress or challenges. For example, someone with a calm temperament might handle stressful situations more easily than someone who is more anxious or easily frustrated.
The term "temperament" comes from the Latin word "temperamentum," which means "a mixing," derived from "temperare," meaning "to mix in proportion." This reflects how different traits and emotions can be blended to create an individual's overall constitution.