MOD'ERATE, a. [L. moderatus, from moderor, to limit, from modus, a limit.] 1. Literally, limited; restrained; hence, temperate; observing reasonable bounds in indulgence; as moderate in eating or drinking, or in other gratifications.2. Limited in quantity; not excessive or expensive. He keeps a moderate table.3. Restrained in passion, ardor or temper; not violent; as moderate men of both parties.4. Not extreme in opinion; as a moderate Calvinist or Lutheran.5. Placed between extremes; holding the mean or middle place; as reformation of a moderate kind.6. Temperate; not extreme, violent or rigorous; as moderate weather; a moderate winter; moderate heat; a moderate breeze of wind.7. Of a middle rate; as men of moderate abilities.8. Not swift; as a moderate walk.MOD'ERATE, v.t. To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence; to lessen; to allay; to repress; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, &c.; to moderate heat or wind. 1. To temper; to make temperate; to qualify. By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water.MOD'ERATE, v.i. To become less violent, severe, rigorous or intense. The cold or winter usually moderates in March; the heat of summer moderates in September.
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