Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MOD'ER-ATE, v.t.

1. 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, &c.; to moderate heat or wind.
2. To temper; to make temperate; to qualify. By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water. Arbuthnot.