moderate: Meaning and Definition of

mod•er•ate

Pronunciation: (adj., n.mod'ur-it, mod'ritv.mod'u-rāt&sec), [key]
— adj., n., v., -at•ed, -at•ing.
—adj.
  1. kept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense: a moderate price.
  2. of medium quantity, extent, or amount: a moderate income.
  3. mediocre or fair: moderate talent.
  4. calm or mild, as of the weather.
  5. of or pertaining to moderates, as in politics or religion.
—n.
  1. a person who is moderate in opinion or opposed to extreme views and actions, esp. in politics or religion.
  2. (usually cap.) a member of a political party advocating moderate reform.
—v.t.
  1. to reduce the excessiveness of; make less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous: to moderate the sharpness of one's words.
  2. to preside over or at (a public forum, meeting, discussion, etc.).
—v.i.
  1. to become less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous.
  2. to act as moderator; preside.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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