Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.
\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.
\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.
\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).