Etymology From Middle English moderat(e) (“moderate, temperate”), borrowed from Latin moderātus, perfect active participle of moderor (“to regulate, to restrain, to moderate”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from moder-, modes-, a stem appearing also in modestus (“moderate, discreet, modest”), from modus (“a measure”); see mode and modest. Doublet of moderato. Displaced native Old English ġemetlīċ (“moderate”) and metegian (“to moderate”). Cognate with French modéré.
1
Not excessive; acting in moderation
moderate language
a moderate Calvinist
2 more examples
travelling at a moderate speed
A number of moderate members managed […] to obtain a majority in a thin house.1731, Jonathan Swift, The Presbyterians Plea of Merit:
These are called the Islands of the Blest; rains fall there seldom, and in moderate showers, but for the most part they have gentle breezes, bringing along with them soft dews1859, Arthur Hugh Clough, Life of Sertorius:
6
Government, PoliticsUS Having an intermediate position between liberal and conservative.
Etymology From a substantivization of the above adjective, see -ate (noun-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
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.
1 more example
On the other side, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch (a moderate) has to contend with the hardliners on his executive, whose intentions go way beyond trying to sort out their members' terms and conditions.2022 June 29, Christian Wolmar, “Strike settlement held back by ministers”, in RAIL, number 960, page 43:
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ChristianityHistorical One of a party in Scottish Church history dominant in the 18th century, lax in doctrine and discipline, but intolerant of evangelicalism and popular rights. It caused the secessions of 1733 and 1761, and its final resultant was the Disruption of 1843.
moderate
verb
UK /ˈmɒdəɹeɪt/ · US /ˈmɑdəɹeɪt/
Etymology From Middle English moderaten (“to restrain, curb; (law) modify”), from moderat(e) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin moderātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
1
To reduce the excessiveness of (something).
to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.
By its astringent Quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm Water.1731, John Arbuthnot, An Essay Concerning the Nature of Aliments, and the Choice of Them, According to the Different Constitutions of Human Bodies. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC:
1 more example
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.2000, Paul G. Coleman, Positron Beams and Their Applications, page 309:
2
To become less excessive.
He used to be an extremist but moderated later in life.
3
To preside over (something) as a moderator.
to moderate a synod
4
To act as a moderator; to assist in bringing to compromise.
We need more users to volunteer to moderate the comment section of our forum.
5
Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics To supply with a moderator (substance that decreases the speed of neutrons in a nuclear reactor and hence increases likelihood of fission).