We have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar,
things supernatural and causeless.
Shak.
Modern English. See the Note under English.
Mod"ern, n. A person of modern times; -- opposed to ancient. Pope.
Mod"ern*ism (?), n. Modern practice; a thing of recent date; esp., a
modern usage or mode of expression.
Mod"ern*ist, n. [Cf. F. moderniste.] One who admires the moderns, or
their ways and fashions.
Mo*der"ni*ty (?), n. Modernness; something modern. Walpole.
Mod`ern*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of rendering modern in style; the act
or process of causing to conform to modern of thinking or acting.
Mod"ern*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modernized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Modernizing (?).] [Cf. F. moderniser.] To render modern; to adapt to
modern person or things; to cause to conform to recent or present usage
or taste. Percy.
Mod"ern*i`zer (?), n. One who modernizes.
Mod"ern*ly, adv. In modern times. Milton.
Mod"ern*ness, n. The quality or state of being modern; recentness;
novelty. M. Arnold.
Mod"est (?), a. [F. modeste, L. modestus, fr. modus measure. See Mode.]
1. Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward, bold,
boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than pushing one's self
forward; not obstructive; as, a modest youth; a modest man.
2. Observing the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act or
bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency, or lewdness; decent in
speech and demeanor; -- said of a woman.
Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife.
Shak.
The blushing beauties of a modest maid.
Dryden.
3. Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not showing
presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate; as, a modest request;
modest joy.
Syn. -- Reserved; unobtrusive; diffident; bashful; coy; shy; decent;
becoming; chaste; virtuous.
Mod"est*ly, adv. In a modest manner.
Mod"es*ty (?), n. [L. modestia: cf. F. modestie. See Modest.] 1. The
quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a
moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance; absence of
self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's
own merit.
2. Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual
relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in
speech or action.
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
Shak.
Modesty piece, a narrow piece of lace worn by women over the bosom.
[Obs.] Addison.
Syn. -- Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See Bashfulness,
and Humility.
Mo*dic"i*ty (?), n. [LL. modicitas; cf. F. modicité.] Moderateness;
smallness; meanness. [Obs.]
Mod"i*cum (?), n. [L., fr. modicus moderate, fr. modus. See Mode.] A
little; a small quantity; a measured supply. "Modicums of wit." Shak.
Her usual modicum of beer and punch.
Thackeray.
Mod`i*fi`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. Capability of being modified; state or
quality of being modifiable.
Mod"i*fi`a*ble (?), a. [From Modify.] Capable of being modified; liable
to modification.