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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Moderat, v. Also: -ate. P.t. and p.p. moderat, -ate;

moderatit, -ed. [e.m.E. and ME. (1432–50), L. moderāt-, Moderat a.] To moderate.

1. To lessen something excessive, to abate. c1590 Fowler II. 115/1.
Contenuing also in that excessiue largesse and not moderating his liberalitie

2. To control, regulate, restrain, curb (an activity, emotion etc.). 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. D. iii.
God … in quhais hand is the brydill that moderatis all thingis a1578 Pitsc. I. 109/22.
It is … ane suire puissance quhene he dois moderat his awin strength and powar 1622-6 Bisset I. 86/6.
All judges aucht … to moderate and restrane langsum repititionis and impertinent speiches 1632 Annandale Corr. II. 289.
Your coumone freinds … doe fear passione and impaientie in your selfe, which they hope you will moderate, considering the tymes wee now liue in

b. reflex. To rule or control oneself, to keep one's passions etc. in control. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 393.
Their thinking on the happy estate that followeth difficulties is the best way to moderate one under difficulties

3. To preside over, act as chairman in (a discussion or a deliberative meeting). 1600-1610 Melvill 56.
The breithring … convenit … in Mr. David Cuninghame's hous. … He moderat the reasoning, … [and] gatherit upe the conclusiones 1610 Bk. Univ. Kirk 588.
Exercise of doctrine to be continowit weekly amangst the ministers … and to be moderatit be the bischope, if he be present 16.. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 394.
The king … or in his minoritie his regent, who … presided in parliament and moderated all

b. To preside over, act as moderator of (one of the courts of the Reformed Church).See note to Moderato(u)r n. 2 b. a1651 Calderwood VII. 109.
He may by the act of Glasgow depute another minister of the diocie to visite his diocie, but not to moderat the diocesan synods, unless the visitation of the diocie and moderating the synode be taken for one thing c1630 Scot Narr. 17.
The Generall Assemblies were not moderated by superintendents, but by such as were freely chosen 1638 Act Assembly 17 Dec.
No minister, moderating his session, shall [etc.] 1664 Dunkeld Presb. I. 137.

c. To moderate a call: To preside, on behalf of the Presbytery, at the meeting of a congregation at which the ‘call’ or invitation to a minister-elect is signed. 1693 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1909) 14.
That a minister might be sent to Wiltoune to moderate a call for one to be minister there 1698 Orkney Rentals App. 70.
To attend … to hear ane call moderate be Mr James Grahame, mnister, to some persone fitted … for supplying the said vacancie

d. intr. To act as moderator, to preside, in the above uses.(1) c1616 Hume Orthog. 3.
Learning, that stupified our scholes, hearing a king … moderat in theological and philosophical disputationes(2) c1630 Scot Narr. 17.
[Seven] ministers were chosen to moderat as well as superintendents a1650 Row 24.
At the fourth Assemblie … Mr Knox moderated 1636 Strathbogie Presb. 9. 1639 Baillie I. 122.
He sent … to Mr. John, desyreing him to … moderat till another were chosen 1650 Cramond Ch. Aberdour 21. 1676 Craven Ch. in Orkney 63. 1693 Cramond Kirk S. III. 29 Mar.
The presbitry … to … appoint a minister to moderat and preside here this day fourtnight at their sederunt

4. transf. To act as referee or umpire in a game. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 401.
Let Paul fend for himself, by God's help, God keeping the stakes, and moderating the play