Modesty

Modesty
Modesty 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Modesty piece}, a narrow piece of lace worn by women over the bosom. [Obs.] --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See {Bashfulness}, and {Humility}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • modesty — (n.) 1530s, freedom from exaggeration, self control, from M.Fr. modestie or directly from L. modestia moderation, sense of honor, correctness of conduct, from modestus moderate, keeping measure, sober, gentle, temperate, from modus measure,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Modesty — Modesty, est une chanteuse française. Biographie Discographie 1980, On n aime toujours le même 1980, So sweet is my love 1980, Boogie encore 1983, Historia 1984, Crime d amour 1985, Le chien extraordinaire Sources [1] Catégorie : Chanteuse… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • modesty — index decorum, propriety (correctness) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • modesty — [n] shyness bashfulness, celibacy, chastity, constraint, coyness, decency, delicacy, demureness, diffidence, discreetness, humbleness, humility, inhibition, innocence, lack of pretension, meekness, propriety, prudery, purity, quietness, reserve,… …   New thesaurus

  • modesty — ► NOUN ▪ the quality or state of being modest …   English terms dictionary

  • modesty — [mäd′is tē] n. [Fr modestie < L modestia] the quality or state of being modest; specif., a) unassuming or humble behavior b) lack of excesses or pretensions; moderation c) decency; decorum …   English World dictionary

  • Modesty — For other uses, see Modest (disambiguation). Man and woman in swimsuits, ca. 1910; she is exiting a bathing machine …   Wikipedia

  • modesty — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ characteristic, natural (esp. BrE), typical ▪ She accepted their congratulations with typical modesty. ▪ false ▪ feminine …   Collocations dictionary

  • modesty — n. 1) to affect; display modesty 2) false modesty (without false modesty) 3) modesty about * * * [ mɒdɪstɪ] display modesty to affect modesty about false modesty (without false modesty) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • modesty — [[t]mɒ̱dɪsti[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT (approval) Someone who shows modesty does not talk much about their abilities or achievements. His modesty does him credit, for the food he produces speaks for itself... He plays the character with tremendous… …   English dictionary

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