MODERATE.  In colleges and universities, to superintend the exercises and disputations in philosophy, and the Commencements when degrees are conferred.

They had their weekly declamations on Friday, in the Colledge Hall, besides publick disputations, which either the Praesident or the Fellows moderated.—­Mather’s Magnalia, B. IV. p. 127.

Mr. Mather moderated at the Masters’ disputations.—­Hutchinson’s Hist. of Mass., Vol.  I. p. 175, note.

Mr. Andrew moderated at the Commencements.—­Clap’s Hist. of Yale Coll., p. 15.

President Holyoke was of a noble, commanding presence.  He was perfectly acquainted with academic matters, and moderated at Commencements with great dignity.—­Holmes’s Life of Ezra Stiles, p. 26.

Mr. Woodbridge moderated at Commencement, 1723.—­Woolsey’s Hist.  Disc., p. 103.

MODERATOR.  In the English universities, one who superintends the exercises and disputations in philosophy, and the examination for the degree of B.A.—­Cam.  Cal.

The disputations at which the Moderators presided in the English universities “are now reduced,” says Brande, “to little more than matters of form.”

The word was formerly in use in American colleges.

Five scholars performed public exercises; the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge acted as Moderator.—­Clap’s Hist. of Yale Coll., p. 27.

He [the President] was occasionally present at the weekly declamations and public disputations, and then acted as Moderator; an office which, in his absence, was filled by one of the Tutors.—­Quincy’s Hist. of Harv.  Univ., Vol.  I. p. 440.

MONITOR.  In schools or universities, a pupil selected to look to the scholars in the absence of the instructor, or to notice the absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a division or class.—­Webster.

In American colleges, the monitors are usually appointed by the President, their duty being to keep bills of absence from, and tardiness at, devotional and other exercises.  See Laws of Harv. and Yale Colls., &c.

  Let monitors scratch as they please,
  We’ll lie in bed and take our ease.
    Harvardiana, Vol.  III. p. 123.

MOONLIGHT.  At Williams College, the prize rhetorical exercise is called by this name; the reason is not given.  The students speak of “making a rush for moonlight,” i.e. of attempting to gain the prize for elocution.

In the evening comes Moonlight Exhibition, when three men from each of the three lower classes exhibit their oratorical powers, and are followed by an oration before the Adelphic Union, by Ralph Waldo Emerson.—­Boston Daily Evening Traveller, July 12, 1854.

MOONLIGHT RANGERS.  At Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania, a title applied to a band composed of the most noisy and turbulent students, commanded by a captain and sub-officer, who, in the most fantastic disguises, or in any dress to which the moonlight will give most effect, appear on certain nights designated, prepared to obey any command in the way of engaging in any sport of a pleasant nature.  They are all required to have instruments which will make the loudest noise and create the greatest excitement.