[tem.per.ate] adj [ME temperat, fr. L temperatus, fr. pp. of temperare] (14c) 1: marked by moderation: as a: keeping or held within limits: not extreme or excessive: mild b: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire c: moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors d: marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship: restrained
2. a: having a moderate climate b: found in or associated with a moderate climate "~ insects"
3: existing as a prophage in infected cells and rarely causing lysis "~ bacteriophages" -- tem.per.ate.ly adv -- tem.per.ate.ness n