̈ɪˈtempərəl adj. 1 of
worldly as opposed to
spiritual affairs; of
this life;
secular. 2 of or relating to
time. 3 Gram. relating to or denoting time or tense (temporal conjunction). 4 of
the temples of the
head (temporal
artery; temporal bone). øtemporal
power the power of an
ecclesiastic,
esp. the Pope, in temporal matters. øøtemporally adv. [ME f. OF temporel or f. L temporalis f. tempus -oris time]