From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing
quality of warm water. --Arbuthnot.
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To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting
or a discussion; as, to moderate a synod; to moderate a
debate.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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 moderate Republican.
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A number of moderate members managed . . . to
obtain a majority in a thin house. --Swift.
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(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.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, v. i.
1. To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as,
the wind has moderated.
[1913 Webster]
2. To preside as a moderator.
[1913 Webster]
Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him
in the divinity disputation. --Bp. Barlow's
Remains
(1693).
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
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: moderate, temperate]
3: marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes; "moderate in
his demands"; "restrained in his response" [syn: moderate,
restrained]
n 1: a person who takes a position in the political center [syn:
centrist, middle of the roader, moderate,
moderationist]
v 1: preside over; "John moderated the discussion" [syn:
moderate, 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,
moderate]
4: make less severe or harsh; "He moderated his tone when the
students burst out in tears" [syn: mince, soften,
moderate]
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,
moderate, tame]
6: restrain [syn: chasten, moderate, temper]