le temporel

Definition & meaning

The adjective temporel refers to several distinct concepts depending on the context:

1. Relating to time: It describes anything that is connected to time or the passing of time, rather than something eternal or permanent.
2. Secular or worldly: In a historical or political context, it refers to worldly or civil matters as opposed to spiritual or ecclesiastical ones. For example, "le pouvoir temporel" (the temporal power) refers to the authority of a government or monarch, as opposed to the religious authority of a church.
3. Anatomy: It relates to the temples of the head (the sides of the forehead). For example, "l'os temporal" (the temporal bone).

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The feminine form is temporelle ↗.
• Origin: The word comes from the Latin temporalis, derived from tempus (time). This reflects both the chronological meaning (time-related) and the sense of something finite or limited to a specific period on Earth (secular).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Chronologique ↗ (relating to time).
• Séculier ↗ (worldly or secular).
• Laïque ↗ (secular, non-religious).
• Passager ↗ (transient).

Antonyms:

• Éternel ↗ (eternal).
• Spirituel ↗ (spiritual, regarding the religious sense).
• Intemporel ↗ (timeless).