Temperate
Temperate
Temperate (pronunciation: /ˈtɛmpərɪt/) is a term often used in various fields of study, including geography, biology, and medicine. It originates from the Latin word "temperatus", which means "moderate" or "regulated".
Definition
In a medical context, temperate refers to a moderate or self-restrained approach to behavior or lifestyle, often in relation to diet and alcohol consumption. It can also refer to the quality of being free from extremes of temperature, particularly in relation to the human body's internal environment.
Related Terms
- Moderation: The practice of avoiding extremes of behavior or expression, and making reasonable decisions.
- Self-restraint: The ability to control one's emotions, behavior and desires in order to achieve long-term goals.
- Homeostasis: The state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems.
- Thermoregulation: The ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term temperate is often used to describe a lifestyle that avoids extremes, particularly in relation to diet and alcohol consumption. For example, a temperate diet might be balanced and nutritious, avoiding excessive consumption of any particular food group. Similarly, temperate alcohol consumption refers to drinking in moderation, or abstaining entirely.
Temperate can also refer to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal temperature, a process known as thermoregulation. This is crucial for the proper functioning of many bodily processes, and is a key aspect of homeostasis.
Etymology
The term temperate comes from the Latin word "temperatus", which means "moderate" or "regulated". It has been used in English since the late 14th century, and its use in a medical context dates back to at least the 19th century.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Temperate
- Wikipedia's article - Temperate
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