Paint the infernal world moderate (9)

I believe the answer is:

distemper

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'paint' is the definition.
(I know that distemper is a more specific form of the action paint)

'infernal world moderate' is the wordplay.
'infernal world' becomes 'dis' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'moderate' becomes 'temper' (synonyms).
'dis'+'temper'='DISTEMPER'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for distemper that I've seen before include "Infectious disease of animals" , "Colourful coat" , "Canine ailment - whitewash" , "problem with dogs" , "Sickness" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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