Definition of: tempera

(tem′pər·ə, Ital. tem′pā·rä) noun
1. A painting medium which is essentially an emulsion prepared by any of numerous recipes, and composed characteristically of oil usually thickened, with or without a resin such as dammar varnish, and egg and water.
2. The method of painting by this medium, which falls into three principal divisions: unvarnished tempera, varnished tempera, and tempera, as underpainting for oil glazes: widely used in the Renaissance and revived in modern times, sometimes in combination with oil techniques. [<Ital. <temperare temper <L]