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] n : a person who takes a position in the political center [syn: centrist, middle of the roader, moderationist] v
4. preside over; "John moderated the discussion" [syn: chair, lead]
5. make less fast or intense; "moderate your speed"
6. 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]
7. make less severe or harsh; "He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears" [syn: mince, soften]
8. 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]
9. restrain or temper [syn: chasten, temper]

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.

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In politics and religion, a moderate is an individual who is not extreme, partisan or radical. In recent years, political moderates has gained traction as a buzzword.

Aristotle favoured conciliatory politics dominated by the centre rather than the extremes of great wealth and poverty or the special interests of oligarchs and tyrants.

George Lakoff, author of The Political Mind (2008), argues that moderates do not exist, because there is no definitive political ideology of the moderate. Due to this fact, he believes it is impossible for a group of people to gather as 'moderates' as each would have different views. This means moderate political views to become mainstream would require a big tent form of party.

In recent years, many blogs and other postings have become available discussing moderate political views. Moderate America has attempted to define moderate political ideology in the United States of America. Some bloggers have associated moderate politics with the concept of rationalism.

• Moderate Mitt is gone - New York Daily News
  For all of Mitt Romney’s talk of what he would do on Day One in the White House — bomb Iran or was it Planned Parenthood? — there’s just as good a chance he would be tacking up two pictures on the wall. One would be of George H.W. Bush ... Read more on this news related to 'Moderate'
• Moderate 5.6 magnitude earthquake shakes Bulgaria near capital Sofia - Washington Post
  SOFIA, Bulgaria — The U.S. Geological Survey says a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck near the Bulgarian capital of Sofia early Tuesday. There are no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage. The U.S.G.S. said the quake struck ... Read more on this news related to 'Moderate'
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  NEW YORK, May 21, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Household debt driven by mortgage credit expansion in the Canadian market is the main threat to the credit risk profiles of Canadian financial institutions, as highlighted by the stress tests outlined in ... Read more on this news related to 'Moderate'