Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Moderate \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.

Moderate \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.

Moderate \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.

Moderate \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).

Source : WordNet®

moderate
     n : a person who takes a position in the political center [syn:
         {centrist}, {middle of the roader}, {moderationist}]

moderate
     adj 1: being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or
            extreme; "moderate prices"; "a moderate income"; "a
            moderate fine"; "moderate demands"; "a moderate
            estimate"; "a moderate eater"; "moderate success"; "a
            kitchen of moderate size"; "the X-ray showed moderate
            enlargement of the heart" [ant: {immoderate}]
     2: not extreme; "a moderate penalty"; "temperate in his
        response to criticism" [syn: {temperate}]
     3: marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes; "moderate
        in his demands"; "restrained in his response" [syn: {restrained}]

moderate
     v 1: preside over; "John moderated the discussion" [syn: {chair},
           {lead}]
     2: make less fast or intense; "moderate your speed"
     3: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
        keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold
        your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
        [syn: {control}, {hold in}, {hold}, {contain}, {check}, {curb}]
     4: make less severe or harsh; "He moderated his tone when the
        students burst out in tears" [syn: {mince}, {soften}]
     5: make less strong or intense; soften; "Tone down that
        aggressive letter"; "The author finally tamed some of his
        potentially offensive statements" [syn: {tone down}, {tame}]
     6: restrain or temper [syn: {chasten}, {temper}]