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#142 temp time

Quick Summary

Temp-time The Latin root temp means “time.” This Latin root is the word origin of a fair number of English vocabulary words, including contemporary, temporary, and the Latin phrase tempus fugit. The root temp is easily recalled via the word tempo, as the tempo of a piece of music is the “timing” of it, that is, whether it goes at a fast or slow pace when played.

From Membean

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Ingredient Memlet: temporal

temp time
-al of or relating to

A temporal situation is “relating to time” in this world.

Ingredient Memlet: contemporary

con- with, together
temp time
-ary of or relating to

Something contemporary with something else exists at the same “time with” it or exists “together” at the same “time.”

Time Is "Temp"orary

The Latin root word temp means “time.” A quick two-minute tempo for this podcast will have you learning this Latin root in no “time” at all!

A temporal life span is one bound by “time,” a condition that all life on planet Earth is governed by. People who live at the same “time” as others are contemporary with one another, living contemporaneously or at the same “time.” Unfortunately, mortal life is but a temporary event defined by a relatively short “time.” Any temp or temporary worker at a business, whose job lasts for only a limited period of “time,” will tell you how quickly that “time” goes! As people get older, they understand more and more the old Latin saying tempus fugit: “time” flies.

For all of us who have played an instrument, we know that each musical piece has a certain tempo or “time,” that is, how fast or slow it should be performed. Imagine going to a recital not having practiced the piece you were slated to play … you would be forced to play extemporaneously since you would be out of “time” to practice. If you were truly unsure about the piece you were supposed to play, you might have tried temporizing in order to gain more “time” to prepare. You could also hope for a contretemps of sorts to save the day, or an inopportune happening that interrupts the smooth flow of “time.” Only that somewhat risky wish come true could put a stop to the extemporizing or playing of the piece that you didn’t have enough “time” to prepare for in the first place!

And a tempest? A tempest or storm comes around only during certain “times” of the day or year; witness that afternoon thunderstorm that always seems to come at the same “time” of day during the summer!

Now that our allotted “time” is over, I’ll take no more of your “time” so that you can be on “time” for whatever temporary event is up next for you!

  1. temporal: of “time”
  2. contemporary: of “time” spent together
  3. contemporaneous: of “time” spent together
  4. temporary: of a short “time”
  5. temp: worker hired for a short period of “time”
  6. tempus fugit: Latin for “time” flies
  7. tempo: “timing” or speed of something
  8. extemporaneous: of being out of “time” to prepare
  9. temporize: to delay in order to gain more “time” to do something
  10. contretemps: an occurrence that goes against the smooth “timing” of a period of “time”
  11. extemporize: to play with no “time” to have prepared a piece of music
  12. tempest: storm which comes around at a certain “time”