tem·per·ate

[tem-per-it, tem-prit]
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.
3.
not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc.
4.
moderate in respect to temperature; not subject to prolonged extremes of hot or cold weather.
5.
Microbiology. (of a virus) existing in infected host cells but rarely causing lysis.

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

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


1. sober, dispassionate. See moderate.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
temperate (ˈtɛmpərɪt, ˈtɛmprɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  having a climate intermediate between tropical and polar; moderate or mild in temperature
2.  mild in quality or character; exhibiting temperance
 
[C14: from Latin temperātus]
 
'temperately
 
adv
 
'temperateness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

temperate
late 14c., of persons, "modest, forbearing, self-restrained," from L. temperatus "restrained, regulated," from pp. of temperare "to moderate, regulate" (see temper). Applied to climates mid-15c.; temperate zone is attested from 1550s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

temperate tem·per·ate (těm'pər-ĭt, těm'prĭt)
adj.
Exercising moderation and self-restraint.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
temperate   (těm'pər-ĭt)  Pronunciation Key 
Marked by moderate temperatures, weather, or climate.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
If you live in a temperate climate or still go to school, the long winter
  months can get downright oppressive.
They tend to dive deeper and longer than the bulls, possibly because they have
  to reach food in the more temperate waters.
Moths are to be found in temperate climates all over the world.
Perhaps if you did so his responses to you would in the future be more
  temperate.
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