1. Any of various infectious viral diseases of animals
   "The veterinarian vaccinated the puppies against distemper"
    
2. A method of painting in which the pigments are mixed with water and a binder; used for painting posters, murals or stage scenery
   "The artist used distemper to create vibrant murals for the theatre"
    
3. Paint made by mixing the pigments with water and a binder
   "The artist preferred using distemper for its matte finish"
    
4. A painting created with paint that is made by mixing the pigments with water and a binder
   "The medieval church walls were decorated with distemper paintings"
    
5. An angry and disagreeable mood
   "She was in a distemper all morning after the argument";
   - ill humor [US], ill humour [Brit, Cdn]

1. Paint with distemper
   "The artist distempered the walls of the old church"

Derived forms: distempered, distempering, distempers

Type of: animal disease, humor [US], humour [Brit, Cdn], mood, paint, painting, picture, pigment, temper

Encyclopedia: Distemper