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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TEMPER-PIN, n. 1. The wooden screw on the stock-bar of the reel used to control the tension of the band of a spinning-wheel (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ‡Uls. 1953 Traynor); “a pin which tempers machinery” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 444). Also in reduced form temper.Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 59:
To keep the temper-pin in tiff, Employs aft my hand, Sir.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 6:
The temper pin she gies a tirl, An' spins but slow, yet seems to birl.wm.Sc. 1843 Whistle-Binkie V. 45:
The temper was made when the timmer was green.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin iii.:
A hole in her chackit apron claught haud o' the temper pin, whan doon gaed Bessie an' the wheel.

2. The tuning screw or peg of a violin.Ayr. 1786 Burns Ep. Maj. Logan iv.:
Heaven send your heartstrings aye in tune, And screw your temper-pins abune.Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems 339:
Gin the temper-pin ye'll screw, And gi'es a sang.

3. The pin regulating the flow of grain over the hopper in a mill (Kcb.¹ 1937).

4. Fig. Disposition, mood, temper.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 191:
His temper-pin's oot o' order.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin x.:
Mr. Gowlanthump's temper pin was naewise improved.