Bring down average speed (8)

I believe the answer is:

moderate

'bring down' is the definition.
(moderate can mean to decrease or lower)

'average speed' is the wordplay.
'average' becomes 'mode' (mode is a kind of average).
'speed' becomes 'rate' (rate is a kind of speed).
'mode'+'rate'='MODERATE'

(Other definitions for moderate that I've seen before include "Average; make less extreme" , "Become less extreme" , "Unextreme" , "Restrained" , "Become less intense" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app