modest etymology

Etymology

The word "modest" comes from the Latin word "modestus," which means "moderate, temperate, or restrained." It is also related to the word "modus," which means "measure" or "limit."

Meaning

The word "modest" has several related meanings:

  • Humble: Showing a lack of arrogance or a belief in one's own superiority.
  • Reserved: Not showy or attention-grabbing.
  • Appropriate: Conforming to the prevailing standards of behavior or appearance.
  • Unassuming: Not seeking attention or praise.
  • Moderate: Not excessive or extreme.

Origin

The word "modest" entered the English language in the 14th century, borrowed from the French word "modeste." The French word is derived from the Latin word "modestus," which was first used in the 1st century BCE by the Roman poet Virgil to describe a character in his epic poem "The Aeneid."

Examples of Use

  • "She is a very modest person, never bragging about her accomplishments."
  • "The dress she wore was modest and tasteful."
  • "It is important to be modest in your expectations."
  • "She was a modest woman, who never sought the limelight."
  • "The proposal was modest in scope, but it had the potential to make a big impact."

modest relate terms

  • accommodate

    Etymology Latin accommodare meaning to adjust adapt conform Root commodus m

  • accommodation

    Etymology The word accommodation comes from the Latin word accommodare which means

  • commode

    Etymology The word commode comes from the French word commode which in turn derives

  • commodious

    Etymology The word commodious comes from the Latin word commodus which means conve

  • commodity

    Etymology The word commodity is derived from the Latin term commoditas which means

  • empty

    Etymology The word empty comes from the Middle English word emty which in turn is d

  • immoderate

    Etymology Latin immoderatus uncontrolled excessive in not moderatus mod

  • immodest

    Etymology Immodest originates from the Latin word immodestus which means not modes

  • Medea

    Etymology The name Medea is derived from the Greek word μήδεια mēdeia which

  • medical

    Medical Etymology Medical etymology refers to the study of the origins of medical terms

  • medicament

    Etymology Medicament originates from the Latin word medicamentum meaning medicine

  • medicaster

    Etymology Medieval Latin medicaster Latin medicāster quack doctor Latin medicāre

  • medicate

    Etymology The word medicate originates from the Latin word medicatus the past partic

  • medication

    Etymology The word medication comes from the Latin word medicatio which means a he

  • medicine

    Etymology The word medicine originates from the Latin word medicina which in turn i

  • medico

    Etymology of medico The word medico originates from the Latin word medicus which

  • meditate

    Etymology Latin meditāri to think over ponder consider Proto Indo European me

  • meditation

    Etymology Latin meditatio French méditation Old English meditian Meaning The a

  • medusa

    Etymology From Ancient Greek Μέδουσα Médousa a name meaning guardian or

  • meet

    Etymology Greek meetas meaning meeting Originates from the verb metaa meaning

  • mete

    Etymology The word mete comes from the Old English word met which means a measure

  • modal

    Etymology The word modal originates from the Latin word modus which means manner

  • mode

    Etymology The word mode comes from the Latin word modus which means measure mann

  • model

    Etymology Model comes from the Old French word modelle which itself comes from the L

  • moderate

    Etymology Middle French modéré from Latin moderatus past participle of moderari

  • modern

    Etymology Modern comes from the Latin word modernus which means recent or of the p

  • modest

    Etymology The word modest comes from the Latin word modestus which means moderate

  • modicum

    Etymology Latin modicum meaning small quantity moderate Indo European root medek

  • modify

    1 Etymology a Definition The study of the history of words including their origins f

  • modular

    Etymology The term modular is derived from the Latin word modulus which means small

  • modulate

    Etymology of Modulate The word modulate comes from the Latin word modulatus the

  • modulation

    Etymology From the Latin word modulatio meaning a melodious modulation which is d

  • mold

    Etymology The word mold has multiple origins Old English molde meaning earth

  • mood

    Etymology The word mood derives from the Old English mod which means spirit dis

  • must

    Etymology Origin Latin mustum meaning unfermented grape juice Evolution Old Fre

  • premeditate

    Etymology Prefix pre before Latin word meditari to think plan Meaning To

  • premeditation

    Etymology The word premeditation is derived from the Latin word praemeditatio which

  • remedial

    Etymology of Remedial The word remedial comes from the Latin word remedium which m

  • remediation

    Etymology Latin remedium remedy Prefix re back or again Meaning and Origin

  • remedy

    Etymology The word remedy comes from the Latin word remedium which means a cure or

  • immodest

    Etymology Immodest originates from the Latin word immodestus which means not modes

  • immodest

    Etymology Immodest originates from the Latin word immodestus which means not modes

  • minor

    Etymology The word minor originates from the comparative form of the Latin adjective

  • sheepish

    Etymology The word sheepish derives from the Middle English word sheepisch which is

  • abstinent

    Etymology The word abstinent comes from the Latin word abstinens which means refra

  • measurable

    Etymology Measurable derives from the Latin word mēnsūra meaning measure Meaning

  • mild

    Etymology Mild is derived from the Old English word milde meaning gentle kind or

  • small

    Etymology From Middle English smal which came from Old English smal which originated fr