moderationn.
/ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌmɑdəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. † c. Scottish. The views and policies collectively of the Moderate party in the Church of Scotland (see moderate adj. 2). Hence (with singular and plural agreement): the Moderate party, Moderates collectively (also as the Moderation). Obsolete.
a. Originally: the quality of being moderate in harshness or intensity; mildness, clemency (obsolete). Later more generally: the quality of being moderate in conduct, opinion, etc.; avoidance of excess or extremes in behaviour; temperateness, self-control, restraint.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun]
neshnesseOE
measurea1393
temperateness1398
lightness?a1425
moderation?a1425
cool1562
mildness1605
weakness1707
society > authority > lack of strictness > [noun] > leniency
neshc1175
moderation?a1425
favourc1460
easiness1483
favourableness1545
lightness1611
grace1660
leniency1780
lenience1796
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > [noun]
i-metOE
hovec1175
metc1175
methec1175
measurec1225
measure?c1225
temperancea1340
methefulnessc1350
temperurec1380
mannera1382
mannernessa1382
sobernessc1384
attemperancec1386
measurablenessa1400
amesingc1400
meanheada1425
mediocrity?a1425
moderation?a1425
moderancea1460
temperancy1526
mean1531
modesty1531
temperature1536
measure-keeping1556
moderateness1571
moderature1574
sobriety1582
mediety1583
moderacy1601
temperateness1609
reserve1660
medium1693
soft pedal1899
met1932
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 180v (MED) For euerye þing þat is inmoderate moste be reduced to moderacioun be þing þat is contrarie to hym.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 31 (MED) Marcus Antonius..moderate grevous lawes and constitutions with other of gretter moderacion.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xii. 49 But moderacyon in theyr myndes is had, So that outrage may them not overtake.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. xxi. sig. fiv The auncient temperaunce and moderation in diete called sobrietie; or in a more general terme frugalite.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 63 A pacience and quiet moderation of hart.
a1628 J. Preston Breast-plate of Faith (1631) 212 The moderation that keepeth from actions wherein is excesse, is good.
1702 R. Steele Funeral v. 74 Oh! Grant me Heav'n, Grant me Moderation!
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 25 He admir'd much the Moderation I had used.
1787 J. Bentham Def. Usury ix. 89 We see, that the exorbitance or moderation of the price given for a horse depends upon two circumstances.
1796 C. Lamb Let. 6 July in Lett. C. & M. A. Lamb (1975) I. vi. 40 Can you write with sufficient moderation, as tis call'd, when one suppresses the one half of what one feels, or could say, on a subject..?
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. i. 48 There is moderation even in excess.
1855 D. Brewster Mem. Life I. Newton (new ed.) II. xxiv. 346 Constantius..in place of persecuting the Athanasians, treated them with the greatest moderation.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 68 He is sensible that moderation is better than total abstinence.
1922 E. von Arnim Enchanted April (1989) 178 She herself drank wine, but with what moderation: one meal, one glass.
1987 Jordan Times 21 Oct. 2/3 What the U.S. and the whole world should do today is preach caution and moderation to both sides.
2004 Foreign Affairs Mar. 172/2 Theirs is an Islam of moderation: wasatiyya, the middle way, as embodied by the new Wasat Party that emerged in the mid-1990s.
b. in moderation: in a moderate quantity or degree; not to excess; moderately.Frequently with reference to the consumption of alcoholic drink.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > to a moderate extent [phrase]
in moderation1483
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > moderate or with moderation [phrase]
in (also by, with) measurec1225
of measurec1400
in moderation1483
in a mean1531
1483 J. Russell in J. G. Nichols Grants Reign Edward V (1854) p. xliv The rule and governaile of the Reame appereth then in most temperaunce and moderacion when the kynges juges and commisses be obeyd at large in every parte of the londe.
1681 J. Scudamore Homer Alamode: 2nd Pt. 22 [They] did bowze the Wine; Which (when they could no drop perceive) In moderation they did leave.
1731 J. Mitchell Highland Fair i. i. 2 I command you not to taste a Drop: You never drink in moderation.
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle IV. ciii. 124 This son of Æsculapius..advised him to enjoy his friend and his bottle in moderation.
1817 J. Austen Sanditon x, in Minor Wks. (1954) 415 The more Wine I drink (in Moderation) the better I am.
1867 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 350/2 The habitual use of alcoholic drinks in moderation.
1903 Pilot 17 Oct. 375/1 How about that cruel bearing rein? In strict moderation it may do no harm..but then in moderation it does not produce the effect aimed at by those who use it.
1959 M. H. Wrubel Primer of Programming for Digital Computers v. 107 Tracing is an important technique in testing programs, but it must be used in moderation.
1991 Discover Mar. 78/3 They restrict their diet, drink alcohol in moderation, and baby cuts and colds.
2006 Spirit of Change Spring 44 Natural sweeteners in moderation such as..dehydrated cane sugar (now sold as sucanat & rapadura).
ΚΠ
1735 E. Erskine Serm. in Wks. (1871) II. 357 There is a generation of Gallios and Laodiceans who under the name of moderation, falsely so called, will look upon you as madmen.]
1753 J. Witherspoon (title) Ecclesiastical Characteristics..being an humble Attempt to open the Mystery of Moderation.
1782 T. Hardy (title) The Principles of Moderation, addressed to the Clergy of the popular interest in the Church of Scotland.
1801 T. Brown in D. Welsh Life (1825) v. 165 The governing churchmen have persuaded the Dundases that it is absolutely necessary to secure the interest of moderation.
1831 J. M. Campbell in Mem. (1877) I. 78 The Moderation was not half so excited against me as the Evangelicals... The ‘Moderation’ in my presbytery are not better than the rest.
a. Limitation, restriction; a fixed limit; a restricting proviso or clause. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > [noun]
limiting1391
moderation1429
bridlingc1443
limitation1483
confine1548
restriction1554
limit1572
prescription1604
bounding1607
circumscriptiona1616
stricture1649
stinting1656
circumscribing1660
contractiona1670
confinement1678
contracting1692
handcuff1814
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > [noun] > restriction or limitation
definitionc1386
limiting1391
moderation1429
limitation1483
restriction1554
restraint1566
limit1572
stint1593
prescription1604
stintance1605
bounding1607
confining1608
confine1609
circumscriptiona1616
definement1643
stricture1649
stinting1656
circumscribing1660
contractiona1670
confinement1678
contracting1692
narrowing1871
1429 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) III. 337 Oure said souverain Lord hath yeven..assent to his subgittes..to þe nombre of ccl speres and mlmlvc bowes..at þe moderacion of þe said Cardinal.
1437 Rolls of Parl. IV. 508/1 For ye reste of the said Wolles and Wollfell, over the moderation aforesaid.
1461 Rolls of Parl. V. 467/1 The Kyng..agreeth..to this Petition, and hit accepteth, with certeyn moderacions, provisions and exceptions.
1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes iv. f. 137 Modus is a moderation, whereby a charge or burthen is imposed, in respecte of a commoditie.
a1646 J. Gregory Posthuma (1649) 12 This Moderation of the words, though it hath not so much evidence as would bee required, yet it hath a notable pretens.
1700 C. Davenant Disc. Grants & Resumptions iii. 192 The Moderations or Savings put in Writing, as afore, are in Number Forty Two.
b. Abatement of severity or rigour; the action or an act of making something less severe; restriction within moderate limits. In early use also: reduction of expenditure, lowering of financial charges. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun] > making less violent, vigorous, or severe
softinga1400
slakingc1400
mollifying?a1425
softening?a1425
temperament1475
moderationa1500
temperatinga1540
releasing?1543
amollishment1612
mollificationa1631
quietationa1639
castigationa1676
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [noun] > saving or economizing
saving1551
moderation1601
savation?1670
Hooverizing1918
belt-tightening1934
slimming1958
society > trade and finance > charges > [noun] > as calculated pro rata > reduction in
moderation1601
rate-cutting1878
rollback1942
society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > moderation or reduction in expenditure > [noun]
safety1549
moderation1601
retention1655
retrenchment1667
savation?1670
saving1731
waist-tightening1882
cutback1943
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 93 (MED) Mahomete, thou tokest vpon the to modre the streight comaundementis of the lawe..but thi moderacions be turned into mokkeryes.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales iii. v. 71 They debated the matter concerning the moderation of the law Papia poppæa.
1601 F. Godwin Catal. Bishops of Eng. 515 [He] went about by course of law to stay him and force him to a moderation of expence.
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 110 Moved, whether a generall jubelee shalbe for the debtes, or whether a moderacion?
1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. I4 In extreames Of this condition, can it be in man To vse a moderation?
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 202 I find but two things that may render it [sc. Life] happy: The moderation of a Man's Desires, and the good use of his Fortune.
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xlvii. 475 It would be with some Moderation only for Strangers.
a1716 R. South 12 Serm. (1717) VI. 35 What is all Virtue but a Moderation of Excesses?
1897 Shetland News 27 Nov. An he comes ony moderation i' da wadder michtna we a' geen aff an' tried da haandlin' some day.
c. Control, rule, governance. Also: a system of government. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [noun]
steera900
governaila1382
governancea1393
controlment1495
moderation1526
control1583
command1642
whip-handle1861
whip-hold1895
society > authority > rule or government > [noun]
onwaldeOE
wissingc1000
governc1300
shield1338
governaila1382
governancec1384
hierarchy1390
regimenta1393
rulea1393
rulec1405
governationc1410
leadingc1430
governmentc1450
gubernance1455
domination1490
moderation1526
governancy1540
ditiona1552
ruledom1553
rectory1572
sway1586
diocese1596
raj1857
1526 Pylgrimage of Perfection (de Worde) f. 89 Whan holy persones..seeth them selfe to profyte greatly and encrease in prosperite in maner by a moderacyon of the heuenly dispensacyons.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. i. sig. Ai A body lyuyng, compacte or made of sondry astates and degrees of men, whiche is..gouerned by the rule and moderation of reason.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 706 For surely he [sc. Humfrey Duke of Gloucester] beyng a lyue, and hauing the moderation and gouernaunce of the common welth, king Henry had neuer wauered in so many hasardes.
1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church ix. 111 It cannot be doubted, but the moderation of the keies, and imposition of hands were at first setled in the Apostles and exercised by them.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 7 He hath lost all the bridle and moderation of himself.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 130 My righteous judgement, in the moderation of the world, and ordering all the affaires of my Church.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 77 Those who are entrusted with the supream authority and moderation in publick Affairs.
d. Settlement by arbitration or compromise; an arrangement, a compromise. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun]
measure1425
compromisea1513
arbitrament1549
giff-gaff1549
moderation1560
compromission1624
temporizement1647
contemperation1650
temperament1660
temporization1761
give and take1778
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xlvijv Wherin not withstandyng to vse this moderation, that suche as be in possession already, be permitted to enioye the rente.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 731 If it might please the king of Englande, to appoint certayne of the yomen..to appoint, not onely who should enter, but also the number of them, he thought that this moderation should be both suretie and pleasure to both the parties.
3. † b. Scottish. The position or office of moderator (moderator n. 3); a moderatorship. Obsolete.
a. Originally Scottish. The action of presiding over a presbytery's formal invitation to a minister-elect (see moderate v. 3c); a meeting of a congregation together with the presbytery for the purpose of signing a call or formal invitation to a minister-elect (see also quot. 1808). Also: the action of presiding in an ecclesiastical court.
ΚΠ
1582 in J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 381 Mr John Howieson, by the magistrates of Glasgow, rugged out of the iudgment-seate, and place of Moderation in the Presbyterie of Glasgow.
1725 Let. from Gentleman at Aberdeen (single sheet) 3 Such Persons of the Town-Council..should have no Right to vote again as Elders at the Moderation.
1745 Session Bk. Glasserton MS 17 June Accordingly the Session appointed that two petitions should be wrote out..the one for a moderation without hearing of more probationers and the other for the hearing of more.
1782 in Acts Gen. Assembly Church of Scotl. (1843) 811 The resolution of Assembly respecting the moderation of calls.
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (at cited word) When a minister is appointed to preside in this business [sc. of electing a pastor], it is said that the Presbytery grant a moderation to the people.
1867 A. Duncan in D. Duncan Discourses Memoir 5 The moderation was delayed till the month of June, when he received a unanimous call.
1875 J. Grant One of Six Hundred I. v. 72 The provost and minister gabbled about presbyteries and synods, the moderation of calls, elders, deacons [etc.].
1904 R. Small Hist. Congregations United Presbyterian Church I. 125 A moderation was applied for, £100 of stipend being promised.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > various Christian superiors > [noun] > Presbyterian > office of moderator
moderationa1614
moderatorship1641
a1614 J. Melville Autobiogr. & Diary (1842) 763 The..moderatour..maid ane excellent sermone at the doun-laying of the moderatioun.
1641 in A. Peterkin Rec. Kirk Scotl. (1838) I. 303 Some leading men, who would have had the moderation to themselves, urged a present election.
4.
a. In plural (usually in form Moderations). The first public examination taken in certain faculties of the University of Oxford for the degree of B.A., and conducted by the moderators (see moderator n. 6a). Abbreviated Mods.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > university examinations
fellowship examination1787
collections1799
responsions1810
response1813
little go1816
great go1820
Previous Examination1824
school1826
smalls1836
senate-house examination1837
tripos1842
honours examination1851
biennial1853
great1854
moderations1857
Mods1858
professional1890
Trip1909
previous1950
1851 Terminalia (title page) Notes on the subjects of the Litterae Humaniores and Moderation Schools.]
1857 ‘M. A.’ Anc. Hist. & New Statute 2 Ancient history, being relegated to ‘Moderations’, is there to be ‘taken up’ in an entirely new way.
1883 A. Barratt Physical Metempiric Pref. 13 When he was reading for double Honours in Moderations.
1946 ‘D. Yates’ Red in Morning i. 27 I took a first class in Honour Moderations.
1991 C. Cookson My Beloved Son ii. i. 79 All those fellows who get to Oxford become insufferable... It used to be ‘I'm doing my law moderations’..but these last couple of years it's been, ‘I'm reading for my finals.’
2002 Tablet 3 Aug. 26/3 The work of a dedicated teacher of the Classics..was a task for which his double first in Moderations and Greats at Oxford admirably suited him.
b. Education. The assessment of examination papers, grades, etc., in relation to established standards, in order to ensure consistency of marking. Cf. moderate v. 4c.
ΚΠ
1963 Exam. Bull. (Secondary School Exam. Council) i. 19/2 The Council hope that examining boards will encourage teachers from secondary schools..to carry the main burden of moderation.
1985 GCSE National Criteria: Gen. Criteria (Dept. Educ. & Sci.) 6/1 The term ‘moderation’ can be used to describe the process of aligning standards between different examinations, different components and different centres.
1991 Times Educ. Suppl. 25 Jan. 24/2 For each branch of the subject, a departmental member has a particular monitoring responsibility: this could involve..running internal moderation sessions..to ensure uniformity of standards.
2005 Appl. Measurem. in Educ. 18 77 Lack of moderation, either across grades or across contents, can lead to unbalanced consequences and asymmetric remedies.
5. Nuclear Physics. The action or process of slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor by means of a moderator.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > nuclear fission > nuclear fuel > [noun] > substance reducing speed > use of
moderation1945
1945 H. D. Smyth Gen. Acct. Devel. Atomic Energy Mil. Purposes ii. 20 The process of slowing down or moderation is simply one of elastic collisions between high-speed particles and particles practically at rest.
1958 O. R. Frisch Nucl. Handbk. v. 17 The moderation of fast neutrons to thermal velocities occurs by transfer of energy on elastic collision.
1969 New Scientist 25 Sept. 639/2 The three essential functions of a blanket are neutron moderation, tritium breeding, and heat-transfer.
1996 Ann. Nucl. Energy 23 1115/1 The absorption and moderation inside the layer is the main mechanism of the void reactivity reduction.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. (In sense 1.)
moderation-monger n. rare
ΚΠ
a1716 R. South 12 Serm. (1717) VI. 92 No Moderation-monger under Heaven shall ever perswade me, that St. Paul would have took such a Course with such Persons.
1978 H. Rodwell tr. K. Marx & F. Engels in Coll. Wks. X. xv. 511 The Yankee moderation-monger Elihu Burritt went to Schleswig-Holstein and Copenhagen to assure the governments concerned of his good intentions.
C2. (In senses 3 and 4b.)
moderation day n.
ΚΠ
1904 R. Small Hist. Congregations United Presbyterian Church I. 353 His rejection on the moderation day was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
1997 J. Leah in S. Capel Learning to teach Physical Educ. Secondary School (2002) xii. 189 Each Examination Board provides details of its..objectives for the moderation process. The organisation of the moderation day needs to be effective and efficient.
2003 B. Carroll Assessm. in Physical Educ. vi. 86 Teachers are often worried that pupils underperform on moderation day.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.?a1425