trempe

temper, mettle (of a person)

noun TRAHMP Rare

Also means

quenching (of metal)

Usage Note

trempe in its figurative sense describes a person's inner strength or character: un homme de sa trempe means 'a man of his calibre.' Its literal industrial meaning is the quenching of steel — plunging hot metal into cold water to harden it — which gave rise to the character metaphor. Do not confuse with tremper (to soak).

Examples

"On rencontre rarement des gens de cette trempe."

Natural Translation

You rarely meet people of that calibre.

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