moderate

Etymology

From Middle English moderat, from Latin moderātus, perfect active participle of moderor (“regulate, restrain, moderate”), from moder-, modes-, a stem appearing also in modestus (“moderate, discreet, modest”), from modus (“measure”); see mode and modest.

Pronunciation

• Adjective, noun:
  • (UK): IPA^(key): /ˈmɒdəɹət/
  • (US): enPR: mäd'ər-ət, IPA^(key): /ˈmɑdəɹət/

• Audio (US), adjective and noun

  (file)

• Verb:
  • (UK): IPA^(key): /ˈmɒdəɹeɪt/
  • (US): enPR: mäd'ə-rāt, IPA^(key): /ˈmɑdəɹeɪt/

• Audio (US), verb

  (file)

Adjective

moderate (comparative more moderate, superlative most moderate)

1. Not excessive; acting in moderation

   moderate language

   a moderate Calvinist

   travelling at a moderate speed

   • Jonathan Swift

     A number of moderate members managed […] to obtain a majority in a thin house.

2. Mediocre
3. Average priced; standard-deal
4. Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle.

   a moderate winter

   • Walter

     moderate showers

5. (US, politics) Having an intermediate position between liberal and conservative.

Noun

moderate (plural moderates)

1. One who holds an intermediate position between extremes, as in politics.

   While the moderates usually propose political compromise, it's often only achieved when the extremists allow them so

   The moderates are the natural advocates of ecumenism against the fanatics of their churches.

Verb

moderate (third-person singular simple present moderates, present participle moderating, simple past and past participle moderated)

1. (transitive) To reduce the excessiveness of (something)

   to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.

   • Arbuthnot

     By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water.

   • Spenser
   • 2000, Paul G. Coleman, Positron Beams and Their Applications (page 309)

     This leaves two strategies to increase the current in a positron beam. First is to provide a stronger positron source and second is to develop a more efficient method to moderate the source positrons into a monoenergetic beam.

     To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive.

2. (intransitive) To become less excessive
3. (transitive) To preside over (something) as a moderator

   to moderate a synod

4. (intransitive) To act as a moderator; to assist in bringing to compromise

References

• moderate in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• moderate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Adjective

moderate

1. inflected form of moderat

Verb

moderate

1. second-person plural present indicative of moderare
2. second-person plural imperative of moderare
3. feminine plural of moderato

Anagrams

• dateremo

Verb

moderāte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of moderō

References

• moderate in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• moderate in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers

Adjective

moderate

1. definite singular of moderat
2. plural form of moderat

Adjective

moderate

1. definite singular of moderat
2. plural form of moderat