Modest
['mɒdɪst] or ['mɑdɪst]
Definition
(adj.) not large but sufficient in size or amount; 'a modest salary'; 'modest inflation'; 'helped in my own small way' .
(adj.) not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance .
(adj.) marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself; 'a modest apartment'; 'too modest to wear his medals' .
(adj.) free from pomp or affectation; 'comfortable but modest cottages'; 'a simple rectangular brick building'; 'a simple man with simple tastes' .
Typed by Helga--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) 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.
(a.) 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.
(a.) Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate; as, a modest request; modest joy.
Editor: Madge
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Unpretending, unobtrusive, unassuming, retiring, humble, unostentatious, meek, not presumptuous.[2]. Chaste, pure.[3]. Moderate, not excessive, not extravagant.
Checked by Irving
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See CHASTE_and_MEEK]
Typed by Geoffrey
Definition
adj. restrained by a sense of propriety: not forward: decent: chaste: pure and delicate as thoughts or language: not excessive or extreme: moderate.—adv. Mod′estly.—n. Mod′esty humility: purity of thought and manners: becoming behaviour: chastity purity: moderation.
Inputed by Jarvis
Examples
- His opponents tried to badger him in every way they could, and ridicule even his modest statements. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- A wife, a modest young lady, with the purely appreciative, unambitious abilities of her sex, is sure to think her husband's mind powerful. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- He was already the scientific lion of England, but withal a very modest and unassuming lion. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Give us a couple of hundreds--come, that's modest--and I'll go away--honor bright! George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- He is a young man--modest and gentlemanlike--I am sure you will like him. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Come forward, modest merit! Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Then, her understanding was beyond every suspicion, quick and clear; and her manners were the mirror of her own modest and elegant mind. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- It was not that his manner was bad, as on that occasion; it was now very good, as being modest, gracious, and ready. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- But worth notice at starting, because we may find occasion to refer to this modest little Indian organisation as we go on. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Franklin's arrival in Philadelphia finds its parallel in the very modest debut of Adams's friend in Boston. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- He's almost as modest as Jos. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I'm a modest man. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Under all these obligations, are our poor modest, humble, and thankful? Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Bar was likewise always modest and self-depreciatory--in his way. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- The modest repose of home is eternally fresh--enjoy it. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Worcester however was too modest in his idolatry, and had too great a dread of giving offence to me, to take my hint. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- There is, now and then, a modest young man; and I think it would be easier for you to act that character. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change, and when someone gave a modest tap, opened the door with a grim aspect which was anything but hospitable. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Given once, the pure bashful maiden was too modest, too tender, too trustful, too weak, too much woman to recall it. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I followed my aunt with a modest medicinal peace-offering, in the shape of a bottle of salts. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- A moment later our modest apartment, already so distinguished that morning, was further honoured by the entrance of the most lovely woman in London. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Oh, dear, you are too modest. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Still— Tush, my son, you are too modest! Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Yours is a very modest and convenient sort of calumny, Major Dobbin, Rebecca said. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I liked her appearance very much: it was modest, quiet, and unaffected. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Rachel, dearest Rachel, I offer you my modest home; come to London by the next train, love, and share it with me! Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The mighty cocked hat was replaced by a modest round one. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- A short railway journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest residence of the great financier. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Yes: in the modest capacity of a person to talk things over with. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He was an exceedingly modest officer, though of great talent and learning. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Inputed by Jarvis