[syn: moderation, mitigation]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Moderation \Mod`er*a"tion\, n. [L. moderatio: cf. F.
mod['e]ration.]
1. The act of moderating, or of imposing due restraint.
[1913 Webster]
2. The state or quality of being mmoderate.
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In moderation placing all my glory,
While Tories call me Whig, and Whigs a Tory. --Pope.
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3. Calmness of mind; equanimity; as, to bear adversity with
moderation.
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The calm and judicious moderation of Orange.
--Motley.
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4. pl. The first public examinations for degrees at the
University of Oxford; -- usually contracted to mods.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
moderation
n 1: quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes [syn:
moderation, moderateness] [ant: immoderateness,
immoderation]
2: a change for the better [syn: easing, moderation,
relief]
3: the trait of avoiding excesses [syn: temperance,
moderation] [ant: intemperance]
4: the action of lessening in severity or intensity; "the object
being control or moderation of economic depressions" [syn:
moderation, mitigation]