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MODEST
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Irregular inflected form: modest
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Relatively moderate, limited, or small
Example:
a pocket-size country
Synonyms:
minor; modest; pocket-size; pocket-sized; small; small-scale
Classified under:
Similar:
limited (small in range or scope)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Not large but sufficient in size or amount
Example:
helped in my own small way
Synonyms:
modest; small
Classified under:
Similar:
moderate (being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme)
Derivation:
modestness (the property of being moderate in price or expenditures)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance
Example:
a modest neckline in her dress covered her up to her collarbone
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
coy; demure; overmodest (affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way)
decent (observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress)
decent (sufficiently clothed to see visitors or appear in public)
shamefaced (extremely modest or shy)
Also:
decent (conforming to conventions of sexual behavior)
Attribute:
modestness; modesty (freedom from vanity or conceit)
Antonym:
immodest (offending against sexual mores in conduct or appearance)
Derivation:
modestness (freedom from vanity or conceit)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
Example:
too modest to wear his medals
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
retiring; unassuming (not arrogant or presuming)
Also:
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
Antonym:
immodest (having or showing an exaggerated opinion of your importance, ability, etc)
Derivation:
modestness (freedom from vanity or conceit)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Free from pomp or affectation
Example:
a simple man with simple tastes
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unpretentious (lacking pretension or affectation)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
Example:
meek and self-effacing
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Low or inferior in station or quality
Example:
small beginnings
Synonyms:
humble; low; lowly; modest; small
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
inferior (of or characteristic of low rank or importance)
Context examples:
The mice had modest but significant axonal regrowth compared to control mice that did not receive the high-contrast visual stimulation.
(Visual activity regenerates neural connections between eye and brain, NIH)
This modest increase resulted in mitochondria that became thinner and more twisted than mitochondria in healthy heart cells.
(Excess Fat Disrupts Heart Cell's Energy System, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
The association with having light coming from outside the room was more modest.
(Sleeping with artificial light at night associated with weight gain in women, National Institutes of Health)
No, my dear little modest Harriet, depend upon it the picture will not be in Bond-street till just before he mounts his horse to-morrow.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Lord! my dear, you are very modest.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
A moment later our modest apartment, already so distinguished that morning, was further honoured by the entrance of the most lovely woman in London.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
In the meantime he was occupied by another idea, which he prided himself upon as being a particularly sane, careful, and modest idea.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
A short railway journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest residence of the great financier.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Elizabeth listened with delight to the happy, though modest hopes which Jane entertained of Mr. Bingley's regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence in it.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
But, the results suggest that it may be possible to get rid of diabetes, for at least five years, with a more modest weight loss of 10%.
(Type 2 diabetes remission possible with ‘achievable’ weight loss, University of Cambridge)
