moderatus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [mɔ.dɛˈraː.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [mo.deˈraː.tus]^[1]

Forms

moderātus (feminine moderāta, neuter moderātum, comparative moderātior, superlative moderātissimus); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is the participle of moderor “to keep within bounds”, from modus “measure”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of the moderate.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant moderate, not excessive in size or strength, of prices low, and of things not material tempered, intermediate, as in Cicero.^[2] In Cicero it also meant restrained, temperate, of people, and carefully controlled.^[2]

British Medieval Latin used a noun moderātus for restraint.^[5] It gave English moderate in the late 14th century, first of the weather.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the moderate and restrained.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English moderate is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Moderate; of prices, low.^[2]
2. Tempered, intermediate.^[2]
3. Restrained, temperate.^[2]
4. Carefully controlled.^[2]

Related words

• moderor
• modus
• moderātiō
• English moderate

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press