All 4 Uses of
tempered
in
Moby Dick
- Yet was this Nantucketer a man with some good-hearted traits; and this Lakeman, a mariner, who though a sort of devil indeed, might yet by inflexible firmness, only tempered by that common decency of human recognition which is the meanest slave's right; thus treated, this Steelkilt had long been retained harmless and docile.†
Chpt 52-54
- Three punctures were made in the heathen flesh, and the White Whale's barbs were then tempered.†
Chpt 112-114 *
- Tempered in blood, and tempered by lightning are these barbs; and I swear to temper them triply in that hot place behind the fin, where the White Whale most feels his accursed life!†
Chpt 130-132
- Tempered in blood, and tempered by lightning are these barbs; and I swear to temper them triply in that hot place behind the fin, where the White Whale most feels his accursed life!†
Chpt 130-132
Definition:
-
(tempered as in: bad news tempered by kindness) made less extreme