temperate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   (of weather or climate) Mild, without extreme heat or cold.

   Britain has a temperate climate with cool summers and mild winters.

2. 2
   adj

   Showing self-control; not excessive in behaviour.

   He is temperate in his eating and rarely overindulges.

The adjective is first attested in 1380, in Middle English, the verb in 1540; borrowed from Latin temperātus, perfect passive participle of temperō (“to moderate, forbear, combine properly”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix). See temper. Displaced native Old English ġemetegod.

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