Difference between revisions of "Temporal (meaning)"
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The [[adjective]] '''temporal''' has a number of meanings, and can give rise to a number of problems. It is pronounced 'TEMP-er-el', {{IPA|ˈtɛmp ər əl}}; to stress it as if it were related to the adjective '[[oral]]' is an error. The [[adverb]] '''temporally''' is pronounced in a similar way. | The [[adjective]] '''temporal''' has a number of meanings, and can give rise to a number of problems. It is pronounced 'TEMP-er-el', {{IPA|ˈtɛmp ər əl}}; to stress it as if it were related to the adjective '[[oral]]' is an error. The [[adverb]] '''temporally''' is pronounced in a similar way. | ||
| − | The word is derived from the [[Latin]] ''tempus'', whose basic meaning is 'time', 'season'. This gives '''temporal''' its basic meaning in English: | + | The word is derived from the [[Latin]] ''tempus'', whose basic meaning is 'time', 'season'. (Cf. the Latin motto common on sundials, etc, ''tempus fugit'', '[the] Time flies'.) This gives '''temporal''' its basic meaning in English: |
| − | *'of, or to do with, time', as in | + | *'of, or to do with, time', as in the opposition between '''temporal''' and 'spatial' measurements, or dimensions; |
| + | *'to do with this world [or life]', perceived as in opposition to the 'eternal life' of Heaven, as imagined by Christians; | ||
| + | *this leads to 'secular', 'not holy' as opposed to 'spiritual' - seen in the [[UK]] [[House of Lords]], where hereditary peers are known as '''Lords Temporal''', and bishops (of the [[Church of England]]) as 'Lords Spiritual'. | ||
| + | *There are also various technical meanings, in | ||
| + | **[[prosody]] (particularly in [[quantitative metre]], where '''temporal''' is sometimes virtually [[synonym]]ous with 'quantitative; | ||
| + | **[[grammar]], where it may be [[synonym]]ous with [[tense]] or express a refinement and sub-classification of discusion of tense; | ||
| + | **in [[Roman Catholic]] liturgies, it means those parts of a given service that are repeated dily, as opposed to those that vary according to which [[Saint]]'s day is being celebrated (the '''Santorale'''); | ||
| + | **in Geography, '''temporal''' sometimes provides a useful distinction in discussion of tides. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 'the temple of the head', 'the right [i.e. fatal] place' {{wip}} | ||
| + | |||
temporary, temporarily 'TEMP-er-er-el[ly]' {{IPA|ˈtɛmp ər ər ɪ}} ' /ˈtɛmp ər ər ɪ lɪ/ /ˌtɛmp ər ˈer ɪ lɪ/ | temporary, temporarily 'TEMP-er-er-el[ly]' {{IPA|ˈtɛmp ər ər ɪ}} ' /ˈtɛmp ər ər ɪ lɪ/ /ˌtɛmp ər ˈer ɪ lɪ/ | ||
Revision as of 21:10, 24 March 2012
The adjective temporal has a number of meanings, and can give rise to a number of problems. It is pronounced 'TEMP-er-el', IPA: /ˈtɛmp ər əl/; to stress it as if it were related to the adjective 'oral' is an error. The adverb temporally is pronounced in a similar way.
The word is derived from the Latin tempus, whose basic meaning is 'time', 'season'. (Cf. the Latin motto common on sundials, etc, tempus fugit, '[the] Time flies'.) This gives temporal its basic meaning in English:
- 'of, or to do with, time', as in the opposition between temporal and 'spatial' measurements, or dimensions;
- 'to do with this world [or life]', perceived as in opposition to the 'eternal life' of Heaven, as imagined by Christians;
- this leads to 'secular', 'not holy' as opposed to 'spiritual' - seen in the UK House of Lords, where hereditary peers are known as Lords Temporal, and bishops (of the Church of England) as 'Lords Spiritual'.
- There are also various technical meanings, in
- prosody (particularly in quantitative metre, where temporal is sometimes virtually synonymous with 'quantitative;
- grammar, where it may be synonymous with tense or express a refinement and sub-classification of discusion of tense;
- in Roman Catholic liturgies, it means those parts of a given service that are repeated dily, as opposed to those that vary according to which Saint's day is being celebrated (the Santorale);
- in Geography, temporal sometimes provides a useful distinction in discussion of tides.
'the temple of the head', 'the right [i.e. fatal] place'
temporary, temporarily 'TEMP-er-er-el[ly]' IPA: /ˈtɛmp ər ər ɪ/ ' /ˈtɛmp ər ər ɪ lɪ/ /ˌtɛmp ər ˈer ɪ lɪ/
classical Latin tempestÄs, -Ätem season, weather, storm, < tempus a time, a season
Vale of Tempe 'TEM-py' IPA: /ˈtɛm pɪ/
