distemper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (mainly in veterinary/art contexts)Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “distemper” mean?
a serious and contagious disease affecting animals, especially dogs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a serious and contagious disease affecting animals, especially dogs
a state of disorder or agitation; a type of water‑paint used on walls; any of various infectious diseases in animals
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'distemper' primarily for the dog disease. The painting‑technique sense is more common in UK art‑historical contexts. The archaic 'public disorder' sense appears equally in historical texts.
Connotations
In both: strongly associated with veterinary medicine when referring to animals; neutral/technical in art context.
Frequency
Very low in everyday speech; higher in veterinary and specialist art discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “distemper” in a Sentence
[animal] contracted distemper[animal] was diagnosed with distemperto vaccinate against distemperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “distemper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The walls were distempered with a pale blue wash.
- They decided to distemper the nursery walls.
American English
- She distempered the mural using traditional rabbit‑skin glue.
- The historic house had distempered walls.
adverb
British English
- The walls were painted distemper‑style.
- It was applied distemper‑wise.
American English
- She worked distemper‑fashion on the fresco.
- The finish appeared distemper‑like.
adjective
British English
- The distempered surface gave a matte, chalky finish.
- A distempered wall needs careful cleaning.
American English
- The distempered plaster showed signs of age.
- They chose a distempered look for the period renovation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used
Academic
In veterinary journals/virology papers; art‑history texts for painting technique
Everyday
Rare; mostly by pet owners/veterinarians
Technical
Standard term in veterinary medicine for specific morbillivirus infection
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “distemper”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “distemper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “distemper”
- Using 'distemper' for human diseases; confusing 'distemper paint' with 'tempera'; using the historical sense in modern contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common in dogs, distemper can affect other carnivores like foxes, ferrets, and raccoons.
No, canine distemper virus does not infect humans.
A fast‑drying, water‑based paint using glue or size as a binder, historically used for interior walls and theatrical scenery.
Etymologically, yes. It comes from Latin 'distemperare' meaning 'to mix improperly', hence 'to upset the proper balance' (of the body or society).
a serious and contagious disease affecting animals, especially dogs.
Distemper is usually formal/technical in register.
Distemper: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈstɛmpə/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈstɛmpər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common modern use. Historically: 'the distemper of the age' (state of unrest).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS‑order + TEMPER → a disease that disturbs an animal's normal 'temper' or health.
Conceptual Metaphor
Disease as social/political unrest (historical); illness as invasion/disruption of the body.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'distemper' a standard technical term today?