Moder

n. [ OE. See Mother female parent. ] 1. A mother. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The principal piece of an astrolabe, into which the others are fixed. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. moderabilis. ] Moderate; temperate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Moderation. [ Obs. ] Caxton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting or a discussion; as, to moderate a synod; to moderate a debate. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

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 moderate Republican. [ 1913 Webster ]

A number of moderate members managed . . . to obtain a majority in a thin house. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

(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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To preside as a moderator. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dr. Barlow [ was ] engaged . . . to moderate for him in the divinity disputation. Bp. Barlow's Remains (1693). [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. having elements or qualities mixed in proper or suitable proportions; especially, made less severe. Contrasted with harsh.
Syn. -- qualified, tempered. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]