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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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).
© Webster 1913. | 
