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Webster 1913 Edition

Modesty

Mod′es-ty

,
Noun.
[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
.
Shakespeare
Modesty piece
,
a narrow piece of lace worn by women over the bosom.
[Obs.]
Addison.
Syn. – Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See
Bashfulness
, and
Humility
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Modesty

MOD'ESTY

,
Noun.
[L. modestia.] That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance. This temper when natural, springs in some measure from timidity, and in young and inexperienced persons, is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their natural timidity, modesty springs no less from principle than from feeling, and is manifested by retiring, unobtrusive manners, assuming less to itself than others are willing to yield, and conceding to others all due honor and respect, or even more than they expect or require.
2.
Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance, presumption, audacity or impudence. Thus we say, the petitioner urged his claims with modesty; the speaker addressed the audience with modesty.
3.
Moderation; decency.
4.
In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.

Definition 2024

modesty

modesty

English

Noun

modesty ‎(usually uncountable, plural modesties)

  1. The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities.
    • 1907, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “chapter VIII”, in The Younger Set (Project Gutenberg; EBook #14852), New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt Company, published 1 February 2005 (Project Gutenberg version), OCLC 4241346:
      At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy ; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.
  2. Moderate behaviour; reserve.
  3. (specifically) Pudency, prudish avoidance of sexual explicitness.

Derived terms

Related terms

Antonyms

Translations

Etymology

From Middle French modestie, from Latin modestia

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmɑd.ə.sti/

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