temperature (T) /tem′pə(ri)chər/ [L, temperatura] , 1. a relative measure of sensible heat or cold. 2. (in physiology) a measure of sensible heat associated with the metabolism of the human body, normally maintained at a constant level of 98.6° F (37° C) by the thermotaxic nerve mechanism that balances heat gains and heat losses. 3. (Informal) a fever.
