Literally, limited; restrained; hence, temperate; observing reasonable bounds in indulgence; as moderate in eating or drinking, or in other gratifications.

Limited in quantity; not excessive or expensive. He keeps a moderate table.

Restrained in passion, ardor or temper; not violent; as moderate men of both parties.

Not extreme in opinion; as a moderate Calvinist or Lutheran.

Placed between extremes; holding the mean or middle place; as reformation of a moderate kind.

Temperate; not extreme, violent or rigorous; as moderate weather; a moderate winter; moderate heat; a moderate breeze of wind.

Of a middle rate; as men of moderate abilities.

Not swift; as a moderate walk.

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; to moderate heat or wind.

To temper; to make temperate; to qualify. By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water.

To become less violent, severe, rigorous or intense. The cold or winter usually moderates in March; the heat of summer moderates in September.