Late Middle English; earliest use found in Paston Letters & Papers. From classical Latin prō tempore to suit the occasion from prō + tempore, ablative of tempus time.
Definition of pro tempore in US English:
pro tempore
adverb(ˌ)prəʊ ˈtɛmpəreɪ
Pro tem.
adjective(ˌ)prəʊ ˈtɛmpəreɪ
Pro tem.
Origin
Late Middle English; earliest use found in Paston Letters & Papers. From classical Latin prō tempore to suit the occasion from prō + tempore, ablative of tempus time.