Modesty
['mɒdɪstɪ] or ['mɑdəsti]
Definition
(noun.) formality and propriety of manner.
(noun.) freedom from vanity or conceit.
Checker: Newman--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) 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.
(n.) Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action.
Edited by Guthrie
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Unobtrusiveness, meekness, humility, retiring disposition, freedom from presumption.[2]. Chastity, purity.
Inputed by Elvira
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Sobriety, diffidence, bashfulness, humility, pure-mindedness
ANT:Vanity, conceit, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, foppery, coxcombry,wantonness, shamelessness, effrontery
Edited by Alison
Examples
- She did not affect modesty, nor appear in the least offended at my intrusion. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- With graceful modesty each gentleman retired a step from the presented weapon. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Much cant have I heard and read about 'maiden modesty,' but, properly used, and not hackneyed, the words are good and appropriate words. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Mr. Kenge also came to speak to us and did the honours of the place in much the same way, with the bland modesty of a proprietor. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I am no farther interested than as a spectator, said he, with a modesty, admirable, as I thought, to witness. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- One does not blush to show modesty or embarrassment to others, but because the capillary circulation alters in response to stimuli. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Before the winter was far advanced, it is actually on record that Emmy took a night and received company with great propriety and modesty. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Edison's modesty has allowed us but one remark on the subject. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- This innate modesty, however, does not prevent Edison from recognizing and classifying his own methods of investigation. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- But Bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- After rendering this general tribute to the port, Mr. Snagsby in his modesty coughs an apology behind his hand for drinking anything so precious. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Few letters home of successful men or women display the graces of modesty and self-forgetfulness. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Why, he was a poor creature to be taken by that delicate mock-modesty, and that hanging head! Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Now is not the _want of sense_ (where a man is so unfortunate as to want it) some apology for his _want of modesty_? Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- And now he paid his respects to Mrs. Pryor, and paid them well, with a grave modesty that became his age compared with hers. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Checker: Nellie