modest, a.
(ˈmɒdɪst)
[ad. F. modeste, ad. L. modest-us keeping due measure, moderate, modest, f. *modes- a synonymous variant of modo-, modus measure: see mode n. Cf. Sp., Pg., It. modesto.]
† 1. Well-conducted, orderly; not harsh or domineering. Obs.
| 1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 158 Your Lordship ought to..commaund your ministers of iustice..that they be milde, modest, and manerly: for sometimes the sorrowful Sutor doth more feele a rough word they speake, then the iustice they dilate. 1611 Bible 2 Macc. iv. 37 The sober and modest behauiour [τὴν σωϕροσύνην καὶ πολλὴν εὐταξίαν] of him that was dead. 1652 Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) I. 320 He seems to be indeed a very modest and discreet person. |
2. Having a moderate or humble estimate of one's own abilities or merits; disinclined to bring oneself into notice; becomingly diffident or unassuming; unobtrusive, retiring, bashful; not bold or forward. Hence of actions and attributes: Proceeding from or indicating these qualities.
| 1565 Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Modestus, Adolescentia modestissima, very modest & sober youth. Ibid., Modestus vultu, of modest and sobre countenance. 1605 Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 25 Resolue me with all modest haste, which way Thou might'st deserue, or they impose this vsage? 1653 Walton Angler ii. 51 You are so modest, that me thinks I may promise to grant it before it is asked. a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) II. 213 Nothing renders Men modest, but a just Knowledge how to compare themselves with others. 1710 Palmer Proverbs 187 Tho' the modestest are not always sure to be paid first, yet an impertinent dun is very odious. 1712 Budgell Spect. No. 373 ¶12 When they are thus mixed and blended together, they compose what we endeavour to express when we say a modest Assurance; by which we understand the just Mean between Bashfulness and Impudence. 1748 Chesterfield Let. to Son 22 Feb., The more you know, the modester you should be. 1781 Cowper Truth 68 He, Christian-like, retreats with modest mien. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. xxxi. III. 223 In a modest and suppliant tone. 1816 Scott Antiq. vi, A light and modest tap was heard at the parlour door. 1859 Tennyson Idylls Ded. 17 We see him as he moved, How modest, kindly, all-accomplish'd, wise. 1899 ‘Mark Twain’ Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg, etc. (1900) 105 A little book, merely a little book—could words be modester? 1901 J. Watson Life of Master xxii. 202 Nathanael was a quiet, modest, diffident, questioning person. |
b. fig. Of things, sometimes with semi-personification: Apparently retiring from observation, not obtrusively conspicuous.
| 1786 Burns To Mountain Daisy, Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow'r, Thou's met me in an evil hour. 1830 J. G. Strutt Sylva Brit. 73 Their delicate green changing to modest brown. a 1832 Bryant Yellow Violet 3 The yellow violet's modest bell Peeps from the last year's leaves below. |
3. Of women, their attributes and behaviour: Governed by the proprieties of the sex; decorous in manner and conduct; not forward, impudent, or lewd; ‘shamefast’. Hence (in later use also of men), scrupulously chaste in feeling, language, and conduct; shrinking from coarse or impure suggestion.
| a 1591 H. Smith Prepar. Mariage 32 He sayd not that she was the wisest,..nor the modestest wife in the world, but the fittest wife for him in the world. a 1586 Montgomerie Misc. Poems li. 9 The myildest may; the mekest, and modest. 1596 Spenser F.Q. iv. ii. 35 She modest was in all her deedes and words, And wondrous chast of life. 1607 Beaum. & Fl. Woman-Hater v. v, Thou woman which wert borne to teach men vertue, Faire, sweet, and modest maid forgiue my thoughts. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 310 And by her yeilded, by him best receivd, Yeilded with coy submission, modest pride, And sweet reluctant amorous delay. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 288 Their modest Appetites, Averse from Venus, fly the Nuptial Rites. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 154 ¶1, I am apt to believe (begging your Pardon) that you are still what I my self was once, a queer modest Fellow. Ibid. ¶2, I found a sober modest Man was always looked upon by both Sexes as a precise unfashioned Fellow of no Life or Spirit. 1742 Richardson Pamela IV. 120 Every one that can give himself the Liberty to say Things that shock a modester Person,..mistakes Courage for Wit. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 408 The modest matron, and the blushing maid. 1781 Cowper Expost. 48 Her women..Forgot the blush that virgin fears impart To modest cheeks, and borrow'd one from art. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xxxv, A young woman..whose countenance might be termed very modest and pleasing in expression. |
b. Of female attire: Decent, not meretricious.
| 1611 Bible 1 Tim. ii. 9 That women adorne themselues in modest apparell [Gr. ἐν καταστολῇ κοσµίῳ]. |
† c. Inoffensive to decency.
Obs.| 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 301 Their waist is circled with a peece of Callico, which makes them modest. |
† d. modest part: that part of the body which modesty requires to be covered.
Obs.| 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 15 As a cover to their modest parts, they gird themselves with a piece of raw leather, and fasten a square piece..to it. 1693 Dryden Persius iv. (1697) 460 The depilation of thy modest part. |
4. Of or with reference to demands, statements, estimates: Not excessive; free from exaggeration, moderate; not unduly exacting or importunate.
| 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. (1603) 153 Some more modest in writing affirme, that the Moscouite could leuie 150 thousand horse. c 1616 Fletcher Thierry & Theod. ii. i, I haue in the relation of my wrongs Bene modest. 1623 T. Scot Highw. God 35 There is nothing practised in our Church, but that which finds allowance and approbation from the modestest and learnedest of their side. 1652 Boyle Wks. (1772) I. p. l, In less than a year, of which not the least part was usurped by frequent sicknesses and journies, by furnaces, and by (which is none of the modestest thieves of time) the conversation of young ladies. 1708 Addison Pres. St. War 5 During the last four Years, by a modest Computation there have been brought into Brest above six Millions Sterling in Bullion. 1781 Cowper Conversat. 889 Held within modest bounds, the tide of speech Pursues the course that truth and nature teach. 1792 Burke Corr. (1844) III. 370 This is not the less modest and peaceable for being clear, open, and manly. |
5. Of things: Unpretentious in appearance, style, magnitude, or amount.
| 1770 Goldsm. Des. Vill. 140 There..The village preacher's modest mansion rose. 1823 Rutter Fonthill 7 Surprised by the modest pretensions of the entrance. 1840 [see quencher b]. 1842 Mrs. Gore Fasin. 18 Dominique boasted a modest annuity of about fifty pistoles. 1856 Thackeray Christmas Bks. (1872) 66 They set up a carriage—the modestest little vehicle conceivable. 1870 Dickens E. Drood viii, And then I step into my modest share in the concern. 1886 Pall Mall G. 31 July 3/1 For the modest sum of 6d. 1887 Ruskin Præterita II. 147 Modest gardens, and farm-dwelling houses. |
6. Comb., as
modest-like,
modest-looked,
modest-looking,
modest-seeming adjs.| 1621 Lady M. Wroth Urania 517 Her *modest-like bashfulnes. |
| 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes iii. i. 68 Never trust a *modest-lookt Stallion. |
| 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. v, A *modest-looking, fair-haired girl. 1864 A. McKay Hist. Kilmarnock 191 A plain, modest-looking structure. |
| 1728–46 Thomson Spring 989 The enticing smile, the *modest-seeming eye. |