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).
