Definition: moderate
Source: WordNet (r) 1.7
moderate
adj 1: being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or
extreme; "moderate prices"; "a moderate income"; "a
moderate fine"; "moderate demands"; "a moderate
estimate"; "a moderate eater"; "moderate success"; "a
kitchen of moderate size"; "the X-ray showed moderate
enlargement of the heart" [ant: immoderate]
2: not extreme; "a moderate penalty"; "temperate in his
response to criticism" [syn: temperate]
3: marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes; "moderate
in his demands"; "restrained in his response" [syn: restrained]
n : a person who takes a position in the political center [syn:
centrist, middle of the roader, moderationist]
v 1: preside over; "John moderated the discussion" [syn: chair,
lead]
2: make less fast or intense; "moderate your speed"
3: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake" "hold
your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
[syn: control, hold in, hold, contain, check, curb]
4: make less severe or harsh; "He moderated his tone when the
students burst out in tears" [syn: mince, soften]
5: make less strong or intense; soften; "Tone down that
aggressive letter"; "The author finally tamed some of his
potentially offensive statements" [syn: tone down, tame]
6: restrain or temper [syn: chasten, temper]
7: make less severe or harsh [syn: mitigate]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moderated; p. pr. & vb. n. Moderating.] 1. To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind. By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water. --Arbuthnot. To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive. --Spenser. 2. To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting; as, to moderate a synod.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, a. [L. moderatus, p. p. of moderate, moderati, to moderate, regulate, control, fr. modus measure. See Mode.] Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained; as: (a) Limited in quantity; sparing; temperate; frugal; as, moderate in eating or drinking; a moderate table. (b) Limited in degree of activity, energy, or excitement; reasonable; calm; slow; as, moderate language; moderate endeavors. (c) Not extreme in opinion, in partisanship, and the like; as, a moderate Calvinist. A number of moderate members managed . . . to obtain a majority in a thin house. --Swift. (d) Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter. ``Moderate showers.'' --Walter. (e) Limited as to degree of progress; as, to travel at moderate speed. (f) Limited as to the degree in which a quality, principle, or faculty appears; as, an infusion of moderate strength; a man of moderate abilities. (g) Limited in scope or effects; as, a reformation of a moderate kind. --Hooker.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, v. i.
1. To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as,
the wind has moderated.
2. To preside as a moderator.
Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him
in the divinity disputation. --Bp. Barlow's
Remains
(1693).
