Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Temporal

Tem′po-ral

,
Adj.
[L.
temporalis
, fr.
tempora
the temples: cf. F.
temporal
. See
Temple
a part of the head.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the temple or temples;
as, the
temporal
bone; a
temporal
artery.
Temporal bone
,
a very complex bone situated in the side of the skull of most mammals and containing the organ of hearing. It consists of an expanded squamosal portion above the ear, corresponding to the squamosal and zygoma of the lower vertebrates, and a thickened basal petrosal and mastoid portion, corresponding to the periotic and tympanic bones of the lower vertebrates.

Tem′po-ral

,
Adj.
[L.
temporalis
, fr.
tempus
,
temporis
, time, portion of time, the fitting or appointed time: cf. F.
temporel
. Cf.
Contemporaneous
,
Extempore
,
Temper
,
Verb.
T.
,
Tempest
,
Temple
a part of the head,
Tense
,
Noun.
,
Thing
.]
1.
Of or pertaining to time, that is, to the present life, or this world; secular, as distinguished from sacred or eternal.
The things which are seen are
temporal
, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Cor. iv. 18.
Is this an hour for
temporal
affairs?
Shakespeare
2.
Civil or political, as distinguished from ecclesiastical;
as,
temporal
power;
temporal
courts
.
Lords temporal
.
See under
Lord
,
Noun.
Temporal augment
.
See the Note under
Augment
,
Noun.
Syn. – Transient; fleeting; transitory.

Tem′po-ral

,
Noun.
Anything temporal or secular; a temporality; – used chiefly in the plural.
Dryden.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor or
temporals
.
Lowell.

Webster 1828 Edition


Temporal

TEM'PORAL

,
Adj.
[L. temporalis, from tempus, time.]
1.
Pertaining to this life or this world or the body only; secular; as temporal concerns; temporal affairs. In this sense, it is opposed to spiritual. Let not temporal affairs or employments divert the mind from spiritual concerns, which are far more important.
In this sense also it is opposed to ecclesiastical; as temporal power, that is, secular, civil or political power; temporal courts, those which take cognizance of civil suits. Temporal jurisdiction is that which regards civil and political affairs.
2.
Measured or limited by time, or by this life or this state of things; having limited existence; opposed to eternal.
The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor.4.
3.
In grammar, relating to a tense; as a temporal augment.
4.
Pertaining to the temple or temples of the head; as the temporal bone; a temporal artery or vein; temporal muscle.