Tampered vs. Tempered — What's the Difference?

To interfere in a harmful or disruptive manner; meddle

Having a specified temper or disposition. Often used in combination

To make alterations or adjustments, especially secretly so as to subvert an intended purpose or function

Adjusted or attuned by the addition of a counterbalancing element; moderated or measured

To engage in improper or secret actions, as in an effort to influence an outcome

Made appropriately hard or flexible by tempering

To tinker rashly or foolishly

Having the requisite degree of hardness or elasticity. Used of glass or a metal.

To alter improperly.

(Music) Tuned to temperament. Used of a scale, an interval, a semitone, or intonation.

Simple past tense and past participle of tamper

(in combination) Having a specified disposition or temper.

Pertaining to the metallurgical process for finishing metals.

Pertaining to the industrial process for toughening glass, or to such toughened glass.

Moderated or balanced by other considerations.

(music) Pertaining to the well-tempered scale, where the twelve notes per octave of the standard keyboard are tuned in such a way that it is possible to play music in any major or minor key and it will not sound perceptibly out of tune.

Simple past tense and past participle of temper

Brought to a proper temper; as, tempered steel; having (such) a temper; - chiefly used in composition; as, a good-tempered or bad-tempered man; a well-tempered sword.

Made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment;

Adjusted or attuned by adding a counterbalancing element;