Temperate
/ˈtɛm.pər.ət/noun
Moderate in degree, not excessive; also having a mild climate.
Did you know?Temperate comes from Latin temperāre, meaning to mix in due proportion or restrain, and it shares that ancient balancing root with words like temperature and temper.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tem-
“to cut, divide, or fit together”
Latin
Latin
temperāre
“to mix properly, regulate, moderate, restrain”
Late Latin
Latin
temperātus
“moderate, well-regulated”
Old French
Old French
temperé
“moderate, restrained”
Middle English
English
temperate
“moderate in action, feeling, or climate”
Modern English
English
temperate
“moderate; not excessive; mild in climate”
Explore more surprising origins