temperate

[ tem-per-it, tem-prit ]
See synonyms for temperate on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, etc.: a temperate response to an insulting challenge.

  2. moderate as regards indulgence of appetite or passion, especially in the use of alcoholic liquors.

  1. not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc.

  2. moderate in respect to temperature; not subject to prolonged extremes of hot or cold weather.

  3. Microbiology. (of a virus) existing in infected host cells but rarely causing lysis.

Origin of temperate

1
1350–1400; Middle English temperat<Latin temperātus, past participle of temperāre to exercise restraint, control. See temper, -ate1

synonym study For temperate

1. See moderate.

Other words for temperate

Other words from temperate

  • tem·per·ate·ly, adverb
  • tem·per·ate·ness, noun
  • non·tem·per·ate, adjective
  • non·tem·per·ate·ly, adverb
  • non·tem·per·ate·ness, noun
  • pre·tem·per·ate, adjective
  • pre·tem·per·ate·ly, adverb
  • un·tem·per·ate, adjective
  • un·tem·per·ate·ly, adverb
  • un·tem·per·ate·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for temperate

temperate

/ (ˈtɛmpərɪt, ˈtɛmprɪt) /


adjective
  1. having a climate intermediate between tropical and polar; moderate or mild in temperature

  2. mild in quality or character; exhibiting temperance

Origin of temperate

1
C14: from Latin temperātus

Derived forms of temperate

  • temperately, adverb
  • temperateness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for temperate

temperate

[ tĕmpər-ĭt ]


  1. Marked by moderate temperatures, weather, or climate.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.