temporal
/ˈtempərəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtempərəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtem-p(ə-)rəl/ (ame, mw)
temporal — adjective
- temporalpositive
- more temporalcomparative
- most temporalsuperlative
1. relating to time, especially the order in which events happen or the fact that s
relating to time, especially the order in which events happen or the fact that something is limited to a particular period.
The study examined the temporal relationship between sleep quality and exam scores.
collocation: temporal relationship
Historians must consider the temporal context in which these old letters were written.
Amani noticed a clear temporal pattern — the noise always came just after midnight.
The experiment measured the temporal gaps between each participant's responses.
These ancient fossils provide a temporal marker for the end of the last Ice Age.
- chronological
specifically about sequence/order; 'chronological order' vs 'temporal relationship'
- time-related
simpler and less formal; good for everyday use
文法句型
temporal + noun
be temporal
temporal relationship between ... and ...
用法筆記
This is the most common sense in academic and non-specialist writing. 'Temporal' in this meaning does NOT imply 'short-lived' — for that meaning, use 'temporary' instead. A 'temporal relationship' means two things are connected in time, not that the connection is brief.
常見錯誤
2. describing things that belong to the physical world we live in — money, governme
describing things that belong to the physical world we live in — money, government, daily affairs — rather than to religion or the soul.
The bishop chose to give up all temporal power and live among the poor.
collocation: temporal power
Shirin argued that good schools should serve both temporal needs and spiritual growth.
contrast pairing: temporal ... spiritual
Felix felt that chasing money had made him value temporal matters over spiritual ones.
In medieval Europe, kings claimed both temporal and religious authority over their subjects.
The monastery offered the believers a quiet escape from the troubles of temporal life.
文法句型
temporal + noun
be temporal
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (CONCERNING TIME) and from 'temporary' (lasting a short time). This sense always contrasts with spiritual, religious, or eternal matters — if the context lacks that contrast, you probably mean the TIME sense instead.
常見錯誤
3. connected to the small area on each side of the skull, slightly above and in fro
connected to the small area on each side of the skull, slightly above and in front of the ear, where the temple sits; used for the bones and soft tissues located there.
The CT scan showed a hairline crack in the left temporal bone.
collocation: temporal bone
Léa felt an ache near her temple where the temporal muscle meets the jaw.
collocation: temporal muscle
Surgeons carefully removed the tumour from the patient's temporal lobe.
A blow to the side of his skull caused a tear in the temporal artery.
- temple
everyday word for the same area; not used as an adjective
文法句型
temporal + noun
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in medical or anatomical writing. The most common compound nouns are 'temporal bone', 'temporal lobe', and 'temporal artery'. When speaking generally, people say 'temple' (e.g., 'pain in the temple') rather than 'temporal region'.
常見錯誤
temporal — noun
1. a bone located at the side of the skull, near the ear and the temple; also used
a bone located at the side of the skull, near the ear and the temple; also used for the muscle or other tissue in that area.
The temporal is one of the thickest bones in the human skull.
countable noun: the temporal
During the anatomy exam, Ravindra had to identify the left temporal on the diagram.
The fracture ran along the squamous part of the temporal.
An infection in the middle ear can spread to the temporal if it goes untreated.
- temporal bone
fuller term; preferred in non-specialist medical contexts
文法句型
the temporal
left/right temporal
用法筆記
In medical writing, 'temporal' as a noun usually refers specifically to the temporal bone. Spoken casually, doctors may say 'temporal bone' rather than just 'temporal' to avoid ambiguity with the adjective senses.