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modérer

to moderate

verb mo-deh-REH Rare

Origin: Latin moderare

Also means

to tone down

Usage Note

Modérer means to reduce the intensity of something — a debate, a tone, a speed — and is used both transitively (modérer sa vitesse) and reflexively (se modérer, to restrain oneself). The noun modérateur refers to a forum moderator or a damping device, and modération is the related abstract noun.

Examples

"Il doit apprendre à modérer ses propos."

Natural Translation

He needs to learn to moderate his words.

Literal Translation

He must learn to moderate his words.

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